Phil Taylor produced another ‘Power’ packed performance in Blackpool to race into the last eight of the 2010 StanJames.com World Matchplay.
And Taylor will face old adversary Kevin Painter in an all Unicorn quarter-final on Friday night after ‘The Artist’ won a thriller.
The last time they played, Taylor whitewashed Painter at the UK Open in Bolton with that world record TV average of 118.66
Taylor was far too good for Steve Beaton.
Once Beaton had missed four darts to go 3-0 up, that was it as Taylor punished him with a brilliant run….from 0-2 down, the Unicorn star won eight consecutive legs and it was all over bar the shouting.
Taylor banged in six 180s in five legs, two 11 darters, a 121 finish and he won it in just an hour.
“I enjoyed that,” he said. “The quarter-final should be good! Kevin has played superbly this week and his comeback win against Colin Lloyd in the 1st Round was exceptional.”
Taylor added: “But I am playing well and getting better with each game. I just want that pattern to continue.”
Painter won through to the quarter-finals for the first time ever at Blackpool at the 10th attempt but he so nearly blew it, before edging out Mark Walsh 14-12.
In an amazing 24th leg, Painter missed EIGHT darts to win the match, as his opponent finally hit D5 to force overtime.
“I can’t quite believe that I have finally got into the quarter-finals!” he said. “I made it hard for myself didn’t I?! All those missed doubles from both of us in that leg. I guess it was pressure but I held it together under extreme pressure in the tie-break.”
From 1-3 down, Painter fought back to four apiece with the help of a 112 finish and he moved ahead, winning four consecutive legs.
It should have been more convincing for Painter….he missed one dart at ‘tops’ to lead 9-5 and Walsh started to hit back.
A crucial break of throw in the 16th leg kept ‘The Artist’ in front but throwing for the match at 12-11, he wobbled and allowed Walsh to level.
In extra-time, D20 edged him ahead 13-12 and after Walsh missed darts to level, the Unicorn ace hit D8 to celebrate a history-making win at the Winter Gardens….cue great celebrations!
Elsewhere on Thursday, Jelle Klaasen came from behind to edge out a wounded Gary Anderson…..the Scot was suffering with a shoulder injury, but was 10-8 and 11-9 in front….the Dutchman though cashed in on Anderson’s missed doubles.
Anderson actually blew six darts for a break of throw and a 12-10 advantage, which would have left him throwing for the match….he then missed six more to make it 13-13 and Klaasen finally nailed D2 to win in dramatic fashion.
He will now face Simon Whitlock. The Aussie had to be at his very best to see off the challenge of Steve Brown.
Thursday 2nd Round results:
Gary Anderson 12-14 Jelle Klaasen
Kevin Painter 14-12 Mark Walsh
Steve Beaton 4-13 Phil Taylor
Simon Whitlock 13-10 Steve Brown
Friday Quarter-Finals (best of 31 legs):
Afternoon session:
James Wade v Wayne Jones
Jelle Klaasen v Simon Whitlock
Evening session:
Co Stompe v Raymond van Barneveld
Kevin Painter v Phil Taylor
By STUART PYKE at the Winter Gardens
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC