PHIL TAYLOR has hailed his nine-dart finish at the BetVictor World Matchplay - and ominously told his rivals that he can become 'better than ever'.

PHIL TAYLOR hit an incredible nine-dart finish against Michael Smith at the BetVictor World Matchplay on Wednesday as 13-6 victory moved him into the quarter-finals alongside Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson and Wes Newton.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and James Wade romped into the BetVictor World Matchplay quarter-finals as Dave Chisnall and Simon Whitlock joined them in the last eight in Blackpool.

THE past 20 years of the BetVictor World Matchplay have seen many magical moments at the Winter Gardens - and here's the Top Ten as voted for by YOU!

ADRIAN LEWIS produced a stunning whitewash of BetVictor World Matchplay debutant Andrew Gilding as he stormed into the second round in Blackpool on Monday.

CATCH all the latest from the BetVictor World Matchplay with the PDC's special video programmes On The Wire - semi-final preview show now online!

PICTURES from the first round of the BetVictor World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

PHIL TAYLOR began his bid to win a 15th BetVictor World Matchplay title by sounding a warning to his rivals with a superb 10-4 defeat of Darren Webster on Sunday during a double session in Blackpool.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN kicked off the BetVictor World Matchplay with a hard-fought win over Steve Beaton on Saturday, as Ian White, Simon Whitlock and James Wade enjoyed first round victories.

THE 2014 BetVictor World Matchplay begins on Saturday as 32 players compete for a record prize fund in Blackpool - read our preview here.