PHIL TAYLOR is now the 2/1 favourite to win the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship after reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament on Sunday.
Taylor and Andy Hamilton - now rated as a 20/1 chance to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy with Ladbrokes - secured their places in the last eight with victories over Robert Thornton and Terry Jenkins at Alexandra Palace and will now meet in the quarter-finals.
The remaining six games from the third round will be played when the tournament resumes following the Christmas break on Thursday, with second favourite Michael van Gerwen having come in to 11/4 on the odds.
Raymond van Barneveld - November's Grand Slam of Darts champion - is the 8/1 third favourite, with a trio of players, including reigning champion Adrian Lewis as well as former finalists Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock, rated as 10/1 chances.
"We've got 14 players left and it's a magnificent field for us to return to after Christmas," said Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Donohue.
"Michael van Gerwen's impressive second round performance has seen his odds shorten even further, but Phil Taylor remains the man most fancied, at 2/1, after winning through to the quarter-finals.
"However, many experts believe the field is wide open and that's reflected in record interest from punters so far during this year's Ladbrokes World Championship."
Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Tournament Outright Odds
2/1 Phil Taylor
11/4 Michael van Gerwen
8/1 Raymond van Barneveld
10/1 Adrian Lewis
10/1 Gary Anderson
10/1 Simon Whitlock
14/1 James Wade
14/1 Wes Newton
20/1 Andy Hamilton
33/1 Dave Chisnall
50/1 Kevin Painter
100/1 Vincent van der Voort
100/1 Colin Lloyd
100/1 Mark Walsh
Each-Way odds 1/3 for 1,2
Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com and correct as at midnight on December 23.
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