PHIL TAYLOR 5-1 KEVIN PAINTER
(3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0)

PHIL TAYLOR'S charge towards a 13th World Championship title continued with a brilliant 5-1 defeat of Kevin Painter at the Circus Tavern.

The defending champion was again in top form as he saw off the number seven seed in a repeat of the 2004 Circus Tavern final.

He hit 12 maximum 180's and averaged over 105.5 per three darts, with Painter admitting: "Nobody will stop him in that form."

Taylor was clinical in taking the first set with winning legs of 13, 15 and 13 darts.

Painter actually broke Taylor's throw to win the second set in a decider but, like a red rag to a bull, he merely stung the 45-year-old into a blistering response.

He won the first leg after the break with a second 121 finish of the game and took the third set without reply before hitting three maximums in winning the fourth set 3-1.

Taylor then put his foot to the gas, reeling off the next six legs without reply to create a mouth-watering semi-final against Wayne Mardle.

"I'm happy with that," said Taylor. "The next game's going to be very tough as Wayne is playing really well but I'm ready for my 13th title.

"Kevin stuck in there and didn't give in but I've a massive chance of winning another title I won't let it go without a fight."

Painter, who also lost to Taylor in the quarter-finals last year, said: "I didn't play my best darts of the week but Phil was unbelievable.

"He will win this title at a stroll on that form. He puts the effort and practice in and it shows - I broke his throw to level at 1-1 and he came out winning legs in 12 and 13 darts.

"The man is an awesome dart player and I don't mind learning a lesson like that from him."

Match Stats