Phil Taylor in action against Darren Webster (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Grand Slam of Darts: Phil Taylor reaches quarter-finals as Rob Cross sets up clash with MVG

Darts

Fri November 17, 2017 · 7y ago

Phil Taylor bounced back to form as he set up a Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final with Daryl Gurney while Michael van Gerwen will play Rob Cross.

Six-time champion Taylor significantly upped his game after a couple of disappointing performances in the group stages in Wolverhampton as he averaged over 100 for the first time this week in a 10-4 victory over Darren Webster.

Taylor, who topped his group despite surviving match darts to beat Robbie Green before losing to James Wade, threw an impressive six 180s and hit over 50% of his doubles including one on tops to take out his highest checkout of the match in the eighth leg - 120.

Webster thrashed Taylor 5-0 in the groups last year but he left it far too late to deliver his highlight of the match, which was a 140 checkout to temporarily cut the deficit to 9-4.

Next up for the 57-year-old, who is a Price Boosted 8/1 from 6/1 with Sky Bet to win a seventh title here prior to his retirement at the end of the season, is a quarter-final with Daryl Gurney following the Northern Irishman's crushing 10-2 victory over James Wade.

Gurney (14/1) fired seven 180s but only averaged 94.62 having missed 17 darts at doubles, which was in stark contrast to his supremely clinical finishing during the group stages.

In truth, the World Grand Prix champion was simply not pushed hard enough by a below-par Wade who was particular poor on his doubles, hitting just two from his 17 attempts.

His chances of a wild card into next year's Premier League, in which he has featured in eight of the last nine seasons, now rests on doing something special at the World Championship.

Defending two-time champion Michael van Gerwen (4/5) made it 18 victories in a row in this event since 2015 as he blew Steve Lennon away with a dominant 10-3 triumph.

The world number one, who has won the last two televised titles in a resurgent form to top form over the past couple of weeks, maintained his momentum from the group stages as he threw seven 180s and averaged just short of 105 while he also managed a 10-dart leg to go 9-2 up and earlier managed back-to-back legs of 11 apiece.

MVG, who had his baby daughter in the crowd for the first time, told www.pdc.tv: "It's a really special night for me. Having my daughter was the biggest thing ever in my life, bigger than any title, and I'm so proud that she was here.

"I need to make sure that I keep my family happy by winning tournaments. You always want to perform well but I was too relaxed at times and I wasn't happy with the first session of five legs.

"I played really well after that and I want to keep that going now. It's a massive tournament and I need to make sure I'm ready for Saturday."

He will next meet rising star Rob Cross (14/1), who mounted a late charge to defeat Raymond van Barneveld 10-7 in the final match of the night.

Voltage, a former electrician, has gone from strength to strength during his debut season on the PDC tour this year and produced yet another superb display to see off the Dutch legend.

Cross averaged over 103 for the fourth successive match in Wolverhampton and threw five maximums but he had to come from 7-6 down to keep his hopes of a maiden major televised title alive thanks to a relentless late burst of brilliance, including an 11-darter and two 14s.

Barney started the match on fire and enjoyed a 167 checkout en route to a 3-1 lead while he was also aided by a flurry of missed doubles by Cross before the 28-year-old found another gear.

Cross will fancy his chances against MVG having come so close to beating him in the group stages although the latter has won seven of their previous eight meetings.