Taylor Soars Into Semis

Phil Taylor 4-0 Mark Dudbridge (3-0, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
Sky Bet World Grand Prix Quarter-Finals

PHIL TAYLOR'S quest for a sixth World Grand Prix title continued in style with a 4-0 demolition of Mark Dudbridge.

Taylor has yet to drop a set during the tournament, and averaged 98 in his quarter-final victory - a fine achievement given the double-start format of the Dublin event.

He won the first set without reply from Dudbridge, who responded to lead 2-1 in the second after a 160 finish.

However, that merely encouraged Taylor further as he hit back to take the set and a 2-0 advantage before landing three 100-plus checkouts in the next set.

Dudbridge moved in front in the next set with a 112 finish, but Taylor sealed victory with three straight legs.

"I just kept hitting him and it was like a boxing match," said Taylor. "I kept pushing Mark and his finishing was superb, so I knew he could win sets.

"That made me play so well, but I can get better and hopefully I will in the semis.

"You've got to keep sending little messages out and putting the pressure on the other players.

"I really want to win the title and I'm fighting for it. Sometimes you can get a bit complacent and you can lose that little bit of fight."

Dudbridge had been laid low during the build-up to the game by a stomach upset, but refused to blame that for the defeat.

"Phil was fantastic and you expect it from him," said Dudbridge. "My game was a mile off from his standard and it's very difficult to play a man who is getting away every time and then backing it up with a 180.

"I felt like I had no energy and I found it very difficult but I don't want to make excuses.

"The only disappointment was that when I was under pressure I couldn't respond throughout the whole match."