Taylor too strong for Van Gerwen

Phil "The Power" Taylor crushed Dutch prodigy Michael van Gerwen 4-0 in the second round of the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen had a 99 average, but the 19-year-old was powerless against the world number one who averaged 102.5.

In the third set Taylor was up to an average of almost 108 and he hit the bullseye to close out the match.

Mark Dudbridge completed a 4-0 win over Mensur Suljovic, while Wayne Mardle beat Robert Thornton 4-3.

Five-time semi-finalist Mardle, nicknamed "Hawaii 501", appeared on course for victory when he went 3-1 up but his Scottish opponent held his nerve to level and push the game into a deciding set.

"I'm here to win the World Championship and I really want this title"
Phil Taylor

"I should have won 4-1 but Robert was great and came back strongly," said Mardle. "I was just relieved to get through at the end but the crowd were amazing and I couldn't have won without them."

Mardle will face Holland's Co Stompe, who beat ninth seed Alan Tabern 4-1, in the last 16.

Taylor, chasing a 14th world title, provided further evidence of his good form coming into the event with finishes of 121, 105 and 103 against Van Gerwen.

"I'm very pleased," said Taylor, who will face Kevin Painter on Monday in a repeat of the 2004 final, which Taylor won in a sudden-death leg.

"Every time he hit a big shot I wanted to match him and put him under pressure, and I did that.

"He's got a lot to learn yet but he was playing the master! I'm here to win the World Championship and I really want this title."

Painter booked his place in the last 16 with a 4-1 defeat of Spain's Carlos Rodriguez.

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