THE Betfair World Matchplay continues on Monday night, with a further four matches, headed by reigning champion Phil Taylor's clash with Mervyn King as the 12-time champion begins his challenge for a record-equalling fifth successive title.
2005 champion Colin Lloyd plays number nine seed Mark Webster, last year's semi-finalist Andy Hamilton takes on World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan and Vincent van der Voort faces debutant Ian White.
Watch Live
The Betfair World Matchplay will be screened live on Sky Sports HD.
International coverage will be provided by RTL7 in Holland, Sport1 in Germany, OSN across the Middle East, Fox Sports in Australia and Sky New Zealand.
LIVEPDC.TV International Pass Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland & Holland) can watch live coverage in LIVEPDC.TV. Highlights from all games will be available for all LIVEPDC.TV Subscribers on a 24-hour delay.
Get Involved
Join in the fun during the Betfair World Matchplay by following the PDC on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube at the OfficialPDC pages.
Click here for the OfficialPDC Twitter page - use the #BetfairMatchplay Hashtag
Click here for the OfficialPDC Facebook page
Click here for the OfficialPDC YouTube page - featuring player interviews
Betfair World Matchplay
First Round
Monday July 23
Andy Hamilton 10-7 Brendan Dolan
Vincent van der Voort 5-10 Ian White
Phil Taylor 10-8 Mervyn King
Mark Webster 10-6 Colin Lloyd
MATCH INFORMATION
ANDY HAMILTON 10-7 BRENDAN DOLAN
ANDY HAMILTON booked his place in the second round of the Betfair World Matchplay with a battling 10-7 win over Brendan Dolan in Monday's opening clash at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Hamilton - a semi-finalist in Blackpool last year - was never able to shake off the Northern Irish ace in a tight contest, but after taking an early 3-1 lead held on to his advantage to progress.
Dolan had taken the game's opening leg, but after Hamilton levelled he hit 180s in the next two legs to take a 3-1 cushion.
He could also have won a fourth leg only to miss his chances to win the game's fifth, but Dolan replied and finished 117 in the seventh as the pair began to trade legs, with Hamilton hitting double 16 or eight in four legs as he moved 7-5 up.
The Stoke ace also included a 171 to leave 94 in the last of those before finishing the combination to win his seventh leg, and an eighth swiftly followed as Dolan missed two darts to win a key leg and Hamilton landed double four for an 8-5 cushion.
Dolan finished double 16 and 111 to win the next two, but double eight from Hamilton moved him to the brink of victory, which he sealed - after his opponent missed the bull - by hitting double 16.
"I wasn't on top of my game and maybe I was too relaxed - that was probably tougher than the quarter-final against Simon Whitlock last year," admitted Hamilton.
"I couldn't shake Brendan off and I missed too many darts at double 16, but eventually it came good for me and helped me through."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Dolan initially bursts his score needing 65, but two misses from Hamilton allow him back in to land double 16.
1-1 - Hamilton continues to struggle on his doubles, missing five darts to level before hitting double ten to square the game.
2-1 - Hamilton lands the game's first 180 and breaks throw on double 16 to take the lead.
3-1 - The World Championship finalist opens the leg with another maximum and takes out 118 to move two legs clear.
3-2 - Hamilton misses double 16 for a 104 finish, and Dolan steps in to hit back going into the first interval.
4-2 - Hamilton returns from the break with a 180 and lands double 16 to regain his cushion.
4-3 - Dolan finishes 117 on tops to pull back to within a leg.
5-3 - Double 16 for Hamilton sees him edge back ahead.
5-4 - Dolan misses the bull, but Hamilton sees two darts at double 16 to break miss their intended target, and the Northern Irish ace returns to land double four.
6-4 - Both players miss darts at double 16 in a key leg, with Hamilton punishing Dolan's two wasted chances to level by landing double eight.
6-5 - Dolan lands a 180 and posts double eight to hit back.
7-5 - The game of cat-and-mouse continues as Hamilton hits a 171 to leave 94, which he finishes on double eight.
8-5 - Both players miss two darts to win the leg, with Hamilton off-target on double 18 and double nine and Dolan missing double 16 to allow the Stoke ace back, and he lands double four to break throw.
8-6 - Hamilton misses double top and ten to move a leg away from victory, and Dolan steps in to finish double 16 and break back.
8-7 - Hamilton sets up 60 to break, but Dolan finishes 11 on tops to pull back to within a leg.
9-7 - Dolan leaves himself a finish to threaten a break, but Hamilton holds his nerve and finishes double eight to move a leg away from victory.
10-7 - Dolan misses the bull to keep the game alive, and Hamilton secures his place in the second round on double 16.
Match Stats
IAN WHITE 10-5 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
IAN WHITE enjoyed a dream debut at the Betfair World Matchplay, hitting finishes of 164 and 161 in a 10-5 defeat of Vincent van der Voort on Monday night.
The Stoke ace, one of the leading ProTour Order of Merit qualifiers for the £400,000 tournament, showed few nerves in an impressive first appearance on the Winter Gardens stage to secure passage into the last 16.
He now meets local rival Phil Taylor - who took victory when the pair met in the 1997 News of the World championship final - in the second round on Thursday evening, and admitted: "It's a brilliant victory for me.
"To take Vincent out is a dream come true because he's one of the top players. I've been playing well enough on the ProTour, so it was a case of hoping everything would come together.
"I've got to take each game at a time, and it will be nice to play Phil - and if I can take out those sort of finishes against him who knows what will happen.
"I've not been winning stage games in tournaments and my ambition was to get onto the big stage to get experience and to take that ProTour form into that."
White made a superb start with a 13-darter to take the opening leg, before van der Voort fired in a 180 in a 12-dart leg to level - only for White to take the next three without reply to take charge at 4-1.
Both players had hit a 180 in leg three, with White taking out 93 before breaking on tops in the next and then taking out a show-stopping 161 checkout to lead by three legs.
Van der Voort hit back to win two of the next three to reduce the gap to 5-3, taking out 81 and then following a 180 with tops, only for White to again pull away.
The Stoke ace firstly landed a 180 and finished double five to win a sixth leg, and then - with van der Voort waiting on tops after hitting another 180 - finished 164 to move 7-3 up.
He then added another maximum and double top to lead by five legs, and after van der Voort finished 68 in two darts to hit back he landed tops once more to move a leg away from the win.
Two missed match darts allowed van der Voort in to keep the game alive by landing tops, but White finished 66 in two darts on double 18 to complete a fine performance.
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - White punishes a slow start from the Dutchman to win the opening leg by landing double 12 for a 13-darter.
1-1 - van der Voort levels with a 12-darter, opening with a 140 and adding a 180 before finishing 84.
1-2 - Both players hit 180s and White takes out 93 on double 16 to edge back ahead.
1-3 - White breaks for the first time by landing tops.
1-4 - The Stoke ace secures a three-leg lead at the first interval with a sensational 161 checkout.
2-4 - van der Voort takes out 81 on double 16 to hit back.
2-5 - White posts double eight to win his fifth leg of the game.
3-5 - van der Voort hits a 180 but misses tops, only for White to miss a dart at double eight to allow the Dutchman back in.
3-6 - White posts a 180 and lands double five with his third dart to regain his three-leg cushion.
3-7 - van der Voort opens with a 140 and 180, but White hits two 140s and - after the Dutchman leaves himself tops - finishes 164 to move four legs clear at the second interval.
3-8 - White returns with a 180 and lands tops to move two legs away from victory.
4-8 - A two-dart 68 finish from van der Voort sees him hit back.
4-9 - White lands double ten to move a leg away from the win.
5-9 - White misses two match darts, at double 16 and eight, and van der Voort posts tops to keep the game alive.
5-10 - van der Voort fails to leave a double when needing 92, and White takes out 66 in two darts on double 18 to secure a dream Betfair World Matchplay debut.
Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 10-8 MERVYN KING
PHIL TAYLOR overcame the determined challenge of Mervyn King with a 10-8 victory in their Betfair World Matchplay clash to begin his challenge for a 13th Winter Gardens title in style.
The reigning champion enjoyed a tight struggle for much of the game, sharing the opening ten legs before establishing a 7-5 cushion - only for King to hit back and level at eight-all.
King - who hit eight 180s in the game - crucially missed three darts to lead as Taylor edged 9-8 up, and he went on to seal the win in the next on double top.
"I was nervous tonight to be honest but I got the job done and I'm through," said Taylor. "Mervyn was probably the better player through the game - he hit loads of 180s but he missed some crucial doubles.
"He played well and he's getting back to his best. I thought he was going to hit a nine-darter at one point and he'll gradually get better over the next few months.
"When I was 8-7 up I thought to myself to hold my darts, but Mervyn broke me back - and in the end that double two I threw to go 9-7 up was one of the sweetest double two's I'll ever hit!"
King, with the advantage of throw, held his own in the early stages, with neither player having a chance to break in the opening eight legs - which included a 13-darter from the Norfolk thrower in leg three after he opened with back-to-back 180s to set up a potential nine-darter.
King also enjoyed an 11-darter and finished 101, while Taylor - using a new style of dart - added his only 180 of the game in leg eight, which he won in 13 darts.
Taylor missed the first chance to break in leg nine as King scrambled home double two to lead 5-4, but the Stoke ace levelled with a 52 finish and then finally broke his opponent's throw on double eight to lead for the first time.
Taylor added a 171 and double four to lead 7-5, but after trading maximum scores in the next a miss at tops allowed his opponent back in on double ten to pull back to 7-6.
Taylor again replied to a 180 from King by landing a 171, and took out 94 in two darts to move two legs clear at 8-6 - only for King to dramatically level the contest.
The former Blackpool semi-finalist finished 70 on double 16 to win the 15th leg, and then followed a key 180 by finishing 61 on tops, with Taylor waiting on 40, to level.
King then hit a 180 in the next, with Taylor adding a 171 once more only to see his opponent have the chance to regain the lead - only for King to miss three darts on the wire of double 12.
Taylor, typically, made him pay by finishing 68 on double two, and he hit a 177 in the next before posting tops to seal a hard-fought victory.
As well as bidding to win a record-equalling fifth World Matchplay title, Taylor is battling to keep hold of his status as world number one, with Adrian Lewis poised to take over at the top of the PDC Order of Merit.
"The pressure's building a bit," admits Taylor. "People keep reminding me that Adrian can be world number one, and if he does that I'll be the proudest person in the world and also the unhappiest, and I can't knock him for what he's doing.
"He's getting everything he deserves at the moment and it's a big challenge for me this week."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - King posts double eight to win the game's opening leg.
1-1 - Taylor levels the game by landing double 16 for a 13-darter.
1-2 - King opens with two 180s, and although he misses a potential nine-darter he returns to land double 16 for a 13-darter.
2-2 - Taylor levels by landing double ten.
2-3 - King hits a 180 and finishes 89 in two darts to lead going into the first interval with an 11-darter.
3-3 - King opens with another maximum, but Taylor hits 140, 140 and 137 before taking out double eight for a 14-dart finish.
3-4 - King takes out 101 on double eight to edge back ahead.
4-4 - Taylor opens the leg with a 180 and finishes double 16 for a 13-darter.
4-5 - King misses the bull for a 161 finish and five further darts to win the leg - but Taylor misses four darts of his own to secure the game's first break of throw, and King lands double two to edge back in front.
5-5 - Taylor finishes 52 to level going into the second interval.
6-5 - Taylor secures the first break of the game by landing double eight.
7-5 - Taylor lands a 171 to be first to a finish, and posts double four to move two legs clear.
7-6 - King fires in a 180 and Taylor posts a 174, but misses tops and the Norfolk man lands double ten to hit back.
8-6 - Taylor replies to King's sixth 180 of the game with a 171 to leave 94, and finishes the combination in two darts to edge towards victory.
8-7 - King takes out 70 on double 16 to win his seventh leg of the game.
8-8 - King levels in a key leg, hitting a 180 earlier in the leg and taking out 61 on tops with Taylor waiting on 40.
9-8 - The drama intensifies, with King hitting a 180 to leave 161 and Taylor firing in a 171 to leave 132, with King then setting up 24 but missing three darts at double 12 to allow Taylor back in to finish 68 on double two to break back and regain the lead.
10-8 - Taylor hits a 177 to leave 56, but misses two darts at tops, only for King to be unable to finish 121 to allow him back in to win the game on tops.
Match Stats
MARK WEBSTER 10-6 COLIN LLOYD
MARK WEBSTER defeated former Betfair World Matchplay champion Colin Lloyd 10-6 to progress to a second round clash with Andy Hamilton at the Winter Gardens.
Left-hander Webster, a quarter-finalist last year, produced a confidence-boosting display in a tense clash, with Lloyd hitting a fine 140 checkout to stay in touch with the Welshman at 6-4.
However, Webster ended the game the stronger by winning three of the final four legs - including a key 116 checkout - to book his place in the last 16.
The game's opening four legs all went against the throw, with Lloyd hitting a 180 in the first and a 66 finish in the third as Webster took the second on tops and the fourth with an 81 checkout.
The Welsh ace then landed a 180 in the fifth and, after both players missed the bull, he landed double six to lead for the first time, took out 110 to break in a key sixth leg - after Lloyd hit a 171 to leave 32 - and then posted a maximum and double ten to take a 5-2 lead.
Lloyd won his first leg in five on double 18 to hit back in the eighth, and after Webster finished tops to win his sixth leg of the game the Essex star powered in a spectacular 140 checkout, hitting treble 20 and two double tops, to pull back to 6-4.
He also hit a 174 in the next, but Webster finished 94 on tops to move 7-4 up and regain his cushion.
Misses from the Welshman allowed Lloyd to hit back in the 12th leg, only for Webster to then fire in a 180 and double ten before taking out 116 on tops, with his opponent waiting on 40, to move to the brink of victory at 9-5.
Lloyd hit a 180 and finished tops for a 14-darter to stay in the hunt, but his challenge was ended in the next leg as Webster took out 62 on double 12 to complete the win.
"That was a real battle against a player who's in some good form at the moment, but I think that I deserved the win in the end," said Webster. "I didn't think I played that well but all that mattered was getting through.
"I've not been playing brilliant darts recently and I'm a bit down on my confidence, but I tried not to get frustrated and I've got three days to prepare to play Andy, because that will be a tough match.
"He's a brilliant player, he's solid and he's got a great attitude, so I'm looking forward to it."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Lloyd opens with a 140 and 180 and breaks on double five.
1-1 - Double ten for Webster sees him level against the darts.
1-2 - Lloyd finishes 66 on double 18 to break again.
2-2 - Webster finishes 81 on double 12 to level.
3-2 - Webster hits a 180, and after both players miss the bull - Lloyd for a 167 finish - the Welshman posts double six to lead for the first time.
4-2 - Lloyd hits a fine 171 to leave 32, but Webster takes out 110 on tops to break and move two legs clear.
5-2 - Webster hits a 180 and finishes double ten to edge further ahead.
5-3 - Double 18 from Lloyd sees him hit back.
6-3 - Webster averts the threat of a break by landing tops.
6-4 - Webster hits a 180, but misses double ten to break and allows Lloyd to finish a superb 140 checkout with a showpiece treble 20, double top, double top combination.
7-4 - Lloyd hits a 174 but is unable to finish 131, and Webster takes out 94 with a bullseye, single four, tops combination.
7-5 - Lloyd opens with a 180, and after both players miss chances at doubles the 2005 champion lands double five to hit back.
8-5 - Webster posts his fourth 180 of the game and lands double ten to move two legs away from the match.
9-5 - Webster moves to the brink of victory by finishing 116 on tops, with Lloyd waiting on a double.
9-6 - Lloyd hits a 180 to leave 56 and takes out tops at the first time of asking to keep the game alive.
10-6 - Webster finishes 62 on double 12 to complete the victory and set up a clash with Andy Hamilton in round two.
Match Stats
2005 champion Colin Lloyd plays number nine seed Mark Webster, last year's semi-finalist Andy Hamilton takes on World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan and Vincent van der Voort faces debutant Ian White.
Watch Live
The Betfair World Matchplay will be screened live on Sky Sports HD.
International coverage will be provided by RTL7 in Holland, Sport1 in Germany, OSN across the Middle East, Fox Sports in Australia and Sky New Zealand.
LIVEPDC.TV International Pass Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland & Holland) can watch live coverage in LIVEPDC.TV. Highlights from all games will be available for all LIVEPDC.TV Subscribers on a 24-hour delay.
Get Involved
Join in the fun during the Betfair World Matchplay by following the PDC on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube at the OfficialPDC pages.
Click here for the OfficialPDC Twitter page - use the #BetfairMatchplay Hashtag
Click here for the OfficialPDC Facebook page
Click here for the OfficialPDC YouTube page - featuring player interviews
Betfair World Matchplay
First Round
Monday July 23
Andy Hamilton 10-7 Brendan Dolan
Vincent van der Voort 5-10 Ian White
Phil Taylor 10-8 Mervyn King
Mark Webster 10-6 Colin Lloyd
MATCH INFORMATION
ANDY HAMILTON 10-7 BRENDAN DOLAN
ANDY HAMILTON booked his place in the second round of the Betfair World Matchplay with a battling 10-7 win over Brendan Dolan in Monday's opening clash at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Hamilton - a semi-finalist in Blackpool last year - was never able to shake off the Northern Irish ace in a tight contest, but after taking an early 3-1 lead held on to his advantage to progress.
Dolan had taken the game's opening leg, but after Hamilton levelled he hit 180s in the next two legs to take a 3-1 cushion.
He could also have won a fourth leg only to miss his chances to win the game's fifth, but Dolan replied and finished 117 in the seventh as the pair began to trade legs, with Hamilton hitting double 16 or eight in four legs as he moved 7-5 up.
The Stoke ace also included a 171 to leave 94 in the last of those before finishing the combination to win his seventh leg, and an eighth swiftly followed as Dolan missed two darts to win a key leg and Hamilton landed double four for an 8-5 cushion.
Dolan finished double 16 and 111 to win the next two, but double eight from Hamilton moved him to the brink of victory, which he sealed - after his opponent missed the bull - by hitting double 16.
"I wasn't on top of my game and maybe I was too relaxed - that was probably tougher than the quarter-final against Simon Whitlock last year," admitted Hamilton.
"I couldn't shake Brendan off and I missed too many darts at double 16, but eventually it came good for me and helped me through."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Dolan initially bursts his score needing 65, but two misses from Hamilton allow him back in to land double 16.
1-1 - Hamilton continues to struggle on his doubles, missing five darts to level before hitting double ten to square the game.
2-1 - Hamilton lands the game's first 180 and breaks throw on double 16 to take the lead.
3-1 - The World Championship finalist opens the leg with another maximum and takes out 118 to move two legs clear.
3-2 - Hamilton misses double 16 for a 104 finish, and Dolan steps in to hit back going into the first interval.
4-2 - Hamilton returns from the break with a 180 and lands double 16 to regain his cushion.
4-3 - Dolan finishes 117 on tops to pull back to within a leg.
5-3 - Double 16 for Hamilton sees him edge back ahead.
5-4 - Dolan misses the bull, but Hamilton sees two darts at double 16 to break miss their intended target, and the Northern Irish ace returns to land double four.
6-4 - Both players miss darts at double 16 in a key leg, with Hamilton punishing Dolan's two wasted chances to level by landing double eight.
6-5 - Dolan lands a 180 and posts double eight to hit back.
7-5 - The game of cat-and-mouse continues as Hamilton hits a 171 to leave 94, which he finishes on double eight.
8-5 - Both players miss two darts to win the leg, with Hamilton off-target on double 18 and double nine and Dolan missing double 16 to allow the Stoke ace back, and he lands double four to break throw.
8-6 - Hamilton misses double top and ten to move a leg away from victory, and Dolan steps in to finish double 16 and break back.
8-7 - Hamilton sets up 60 to break, but Dolan finishes 11 on tops to pull back to within a leg.
9-7 - Dolan leaves himself a finish to threaten a break, but Hamilton holds his nerve and finishes double eight to move a leg away from victory.
10-7 - Dolan misses the bull to keep the game alive, and Hamilton secures his place in the second round on double 16.
Match Stats
|
Andy Hamilton |
10-7 |
Brendan Dolan |
|
20 |
100+ |
23 |
|
12 |
140+ |
10 |
|
1 |
170+ |
2 |
|
3 |
180 |
1 |
|
30.14 |
Ave1 |
28.53 |
|
90.42 |
Ave3 |
85.60 |
|
118 |
High Finish |
117,111 |
|
3 |
Breaks of Throw |
1 |
|
10/34 - 29% |
Finishing % |
7/17 - 41% |
IAN WHITE 10-5 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
IAN WHITE enjoyed a dream debut at the Betfair World Matchplay, hitting finishes of 164 and 161 in a 10-5 defeat of Vincent van der Voort on Monday night.
The Stoke ace, one of the leading ProTour Order of Merit qualifiers for the £400,000 tournament, showed few nerves in an impressive first appearance on the Winter Gardens stage to secure passage into the last 16.
He now meets local rival Phil Taylor - who took victory when the pair met in the 1997 News of the World championship final - in the second round on Thursday evening, and admitted: "It's a brilliant victory for me.
"To take Vincent out is a dream come true because he's one of the top players. I've been playing well enough on the ProTour, so it was a case of hoping everything would come together.
"I've got to take each game at a time, and it will be nice to play Phil - and if I can take out those sort of finishes against him who knows what will happen.
"I've not been winning stage games in tournaments and my ambition was to get onto the big stage to get experience and to take that ProTour form into that."
White made a superb start with a 13-darter to take the opening leg, before van der Voort fired in a 180 in a 12-dart leg to level - only for White to take the next three without reply to take charge at 4-1.
Both players had hit a 180 in leg three, with White taking out 93 before breaking on tops in the next and then taking out a show-stopping 161 checkout to lead by three legs.
Van der Voort hit back to win two of the next three to reduce the gap to 5-3, taking out 81 and then following a 180 with tops, only for White to again pull away.
The Stoke ace firstly landed a 180 and finished double five to win a sixth leg, and then - with van der Voort waiting on tops after hitting another 180 - finished 164 to move 7-3 up.
He then added another maximum and double top to lead by five legs, and after van der Voort finished 68 in two darts to hit back he landed tops once more to move a leg away from the win.
Two missed match darts allowed van der Voort in to keep the game alive by landing tops, but White finished 66 in two darts on double 18 to complete a fine performance.
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - White punishes a slow start from the Dutchman to win the opening leg by landing double 12 for a 13-darter.
1-1 - van der Voort levels with a 12-darter, opening with a 140 and adding a 180 before finishing 84.
1-2 - Both players hit 180s and White takes out 93 on double 16 to edge back ahead.
1-3 - White breaks for the first time by landing tops.
1-4 - The Stoke ace secures a three-leg lead at the first interval with a sensational 161 checkout.
2-4 - van der Voort takes out 81 on double 16 to hit back.
2-5 - White posts double eight to win his fifth leg of the game.
3-5 - van der Voort hits a 180 but misses tops, only for White to miss a dart at double eight to allow the Dutchman back in.
3-6 - White posts a 180 and lands double five with his third dart to regain his three-leg cushion.
3-7 - van der Voort opens with a 140 and 180, but White hits two 140s and - after the Dutchman leaves himself tops - finishes 164 to move four legs clear at the second interval.
3-8 - White returns with a 180 and lands tops to move two legs away from victory.
4-8 - A two-dart 68 finish from van der Voort sees him hit back.
4-9 - White lands double ten to move a leg away from the win.
5-9 - White misses two match darts, at double 16 and eight, and van der Voort posts tops to keep the game alive.
5-10 - van der Voort fails to leave a double when needing 92, and White takes out 66 in two darts on double 18 to secure a dream Betfair World Matchplay debut.
Match Stats
|
Vincent van der Voort |
5-10 |
Ian White |
|
14 |
100+ |
18 |
|
9 |
140+ |
15 |
|
0 |
170+ |
0 |
|
4 |
180 |
3 |
|
30.95 |
Ave1 |
31.80 |
|
92.86 |
Ave3 |
95.40 |
|
84 |
High Finish |
164,161 |
|
0 |
Breaks of Throw |
2 |
|
5/8 - 63% |
Finishing % |
10/25 - 40% |
PHIL TAYLOR 10-8 MERVYN KING
PHIL TAYLOR overcame the determined challenge of Mervyn King with a 10-8 victory in their Betfair World Matchplay clash to begin his challenge for a 13th Winter Gardens title in style.
The reigning champion enjoyed a tight struggle for much of the game, sharing the opening ten legs before establishing a 7-5 cushion - only for King to hit back and level at eight-all.
King - who hit eight 180s in the game - crucially missed three darts to lead as Taylor edged 9-8 up, and he went on to seal the win in the next on double top.
"I was nervous tonight to be honest but I got the job done and I'm through," said Taylor. "Mervyn was probably the better player through the game - he hit loads of 180s but he missed some crucial doubles.
"He played well and he's getting back to his best. I thought he was going to hit a nine-darter at one point and he'll gradually get better over the next few months.
"When I was 8-7 up I thought to myself to hold my darts, but Mervyn broke me back - and in the end that double two I threw to go 9-7 up was one of the sweetest double two's I'll ever hit!"
King, with the advantage of throw, held his own in the early stages, with neither player having a chance to break in the opening eight legs - which included a 13-darter from the Norfolk thrower in leg three after he opened with back-to-back 180s to set up a potential nine-darter.
King also enjoyed an 11-darter and finished 101, while Taylor - using a new style of dart - added his only 180 of the game in leg eight, which he won in 13 darts.
Taylor missed the first chance to break in leg nine as King scrambled home double two to lead 5-4, but the Stoke ace levelled with a 52 finish and then finally broke his opponent's throw on double eight to lead for the first time.
Taylor added a 171 and double four to lead 7-5, but after trading maximum scores in the next a miss at tops allowed his opponent back in on double ten to pull back to 7-6.
Taylor again replied to a 180 from King by landing a 171, and took out 94 in two darts to move two legs clear at 8-6 - only for King to dramatically level the contest.
The former Blackpool semi-finalist finished 70 on double 16 to win the 15th leg, and then followed a key 180 by finishing 61 on tops, with Taylor waiting on 40, to level.
King then hit a 180 in the next, with Taylor adding a 171 once more only to see his opponent have the chance to regain the lead - only for King to miss three darts on the wire of double 12.
Taylor, typically, made him pay by finishing 68 on double two, and he hit a 177 in the next before posting tops to seal a hard-fought victory.
As well as bidding to win a record-equalling fifth World Matchplay title, Taylor is battling to keep hold of his status as world number one, with Adrian Lewis poised to take over at the top of the PDC Order of Merit.
"The pressure's building a bit," admits Taylor. "People keep reminding me that Adrian can be world number one, and if he does that I'll be the proudest person in the world and also the unhappiest, and I can't knock him for what he's doing.
"He's getting everything he deserves at the moment and it's a big challenge for me this week."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - King posts double eight to win the game's opening leg.
1-1 - Taylor levels the game by landing double 16 for a 13-darter.
1-2 - King opens with two 180s, and although he misses a potential nine-darter he returns to land double 16 for a 13-darter.
2-2 - Taylor levels by landing double ten.
2-3 - King hits a 180 and finishes 89 in two darts to lead going into the first interval with an 11-darter.
3-3 - King opens with another maximum, but Taylor hits 140, 140 and 137 before taking out double eight for a 14-dart finish.
3-4 - King takes out 101 on double eight to edge back ahead.
4-4 - Taylor opens the leg with a 180 and finishes double 16 for a 13-darter.
4-5 - King misses the bull for a 161 finish and five further darts to win the leg - but Taylor misses four darts of his own to secure the game's first break of throw, and King lands double two to edge back in front.
5-5 - Taylor finishes 52 to level going into the second interval.
6-5 - Taylor secures the first break of the game by landing double eight.
7-5 - Taylor lands a 171 to be first to a finish, and posts double four to move two legs clear.
7-6 - King fires in a 180 and Taylor posts a 174, but misses tops and the Norfolk man lands double ten to hit back.
8-6 - Taylor replies to King's sixth 180 of the game with a 171 to leave 94, and finishes the combination in two darts to edge towards victory.
8-7 - King takes out 70 on double 16 to win his seventh leg of the game.
8-8 - King levels in a key leg, hitting a 180 earlier in the leg and taking out 61 on tops with Taylor waiting on 40.
9-8 - The drama intensifies, with King hitting a 180 to leave 161 and Taylor firing in a 171 to leave 132, with King then setting up 24 but missing three darts at double 12 to allow Taylor back in to finish 68 on double two to break back and regain the lead.
10-8 - Taylor hits a 177 to leave 56, but misses two darts at tops, only for King to be unable to finish 121 to allow him back in to win the game on tops.
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
10-8 |
Mervyn King |
|
26 |
100+ |
26 |
|
11 |
140+ |
12 |
|
5 |
170+ |
0 |
|
1 |
180 |
8 |
|
34.37 |
Ave1 |
32.51 |
|
103.10 |
Ave3 |
97.54 |
|
94 |
High Finish |
101 |
|
2 |
Breaks of Throw |
1 |
|
10/24 - 42% |
Finishing % |
8/22 - 36% |
MARK WEBSTER 10-6 COLIN LLOYD
MARK WEBSTER defeated former Betfair World Matchplay champion Colin Lloyd 10-6 to progress to a second round clash with Andy Hamilton at the Winter Gardens.
Left-hander Webster, a quarter-finalist last year, produced a confidence-boosting display in a tense clash, with Lloyd hitting a fine 140 checkout to stay in touch with the Welshman at 6-4.
However, Webster ended the game the stronger by winning three of the final four legs - including a key 116 checkout - to book his place in the last 16.
The game's opening four legs all went against the throw, with Lloyd hitting a 180 in the first and a 66 finish in the third as Webster took the second on tops and the fourth with an 81 checkout.
The Welsh ace then landed a 180 in the fifth and, after both players missed the bull, he landed double six to lead for the first time, took out 110 to break in a key sixth leg - after Lloyd hit a 171 to leave 32 - and then posted a maximum and double ten to take a 5-2 lead.
Lloyd won his first leg in five on double 18 to hit back in the eighth, and after Webster finished tops to win his sixth leg of the game the Essex star powered in a spectacular 140 checkout, hitting treble 20 and two double tops, to pull back to 6-4.
He also hit a 174 in the next, but Webster finished 94 on tops to move 7-4 up and regain his cushion.
Misses from the Welshman allowed Lloyd to hit back in the 12th leg, only for Webster to then fire in a 180 and double ten before taking out 116 on tops, with his opponent waiting on 40, to move to the brink of victory at 9-5.
Lloyd hit a 180 and finished tops for a 14-darter to stay in the hunt, but his challenge was ended in the next leg as Webster took out 62 on double 12 to complete the win.
"That was a real battle against a player who's in some good form at the moment, but I think that I deserved the win in the end," said Webster. "I didn't think I played that well but all that mattered was getting through.
"I've not been playing brilliant darts recently and I'm a bit down on my confidence, but I tried not to get frustrated and I've got three days to prepare to play Andy, because that will be a tough match.
"He's a brilliant player, he's solid and he's got a great attitude, so I'm looking forward to it."
Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Lloyd opens with a 140 and 180 and breaks on double five.
1-1 - Double ten for Webster sees him level against the darts.
1-2 - Lloyd finishes 66 on double 18 to break again.
2-2 - Webster finishes 81 on double 12 to level.
3-2 - Webster hits a 180, and after both players miss the bull - Lloyd for a 167 finish - the Welshman posts double six to lead for the first time.
4-2 - Lloyd hits a fine 171 to leave 32, but Webster takes out 110 on tops to break and move two legs clear.
5-2 - Webster hits a 180 and finishes double ten to edge further ahead.
5-3 - Double 18 from Lloyd sees him hit back.
6-3 - Webster averts the threat of a break by landing tops.
6-4 - Webster hits a 180, but misses double ten to break and allows Lloyd to finish a superb 140 checkout with a showpiece treble 20, double top, double top combination.
7-4 - Lloyd hits a 174 but is unable to finish 131, and Webster takes out 94 with a bullseye, single four, tops combination.
7-5 - Lloyd opens with a 180, and after both players miss chances at doubles the 2005 champion lands double five to hit back.
8-5 - Webster posts his fourth 180 of the game and lands double ten to move two legs away from the match.
9-5 - Webster moves to the brink of victory by finishing 116 on tops, with Lloyd waiting on a double.
9-6 - Lloyd hits a 180 to leave 56 and takes out tops at the first time of asking to keep the game alive.
10-6 - Webster finishes 62 on double 12 to complete the victory and set up a clash with Andy Hamilton in round two.
Match Stats
|
Mark Webster |
10-6 |
Colin Lloyd |
|
23 |
100+ |
19 |
|
7 |
140+ |
7 |
|
0 |
170+ |
2 |
|
4 |
180 |
3 |
|
28.90 |
Ave1 |
28.27 |
|
86.69 |
Ave3 |
84.80 |
|
116,110 |
High Finish |
140 |
|
5 |
Breaks of Throw |
3 |
|
10/32 - 31% |
Finishing % |
6/17 - 35% |