Perth Darts Masters 2017: Phil Taylor scrapes through
Phil Taylor survived a big scare as he eventually saw off Kyle Anderson 6-4 in the Perth Masters.
Taylor, enjoying a renaissance in what's his final season as before retirement, found himself 3-1 and 4-2 down as chances went begging.
The 16-time world champion finally edged ahead in the ninth leg, though not before Anderson had missed double 16 for the leg, before sealing victory with three darts from 124 in the 10th.
Taylor's average of 95.9 was barely higher than his opponent's and with six doubles hit from 20 attempts, this was a far cry from the performances which have made his renewed success the story of the year so far, including Sunday's success in Melbourne.
"He had his chances there, he pushed me right up until the end. I had to dig deep there because I was on the brink at one point and wasn’t playing well at the start." Taylor told pdc.tv.
"My record in Australia is brilliant and I want to continue that and win in Perth for the last time."
Taylor will play old foe Raymond van Barneveld in Saturday's quarter-finals and is 2/5 with Sky Bet to win the match, with RvB a 7/4 chance.
In the final game of the day, four-time world champion van Barneveld was taken to a dramatic deciding leg by home favourite Corey Cadby.
The Dutchman apeared to be coasting as he led 5-2, but Cadby - who had beaten RvB last week in Melbourne - hit back and levelled at 5-5 thanks a superb 161 checkout (T20, T17, bull) in the 10th leg.
But Barney used all his experience in the decider, firing in a crucial 180 to win it and book his place in the last eight.
"It's good to get a little bit of revenge against Corey, he's a great talent so that's a big win for me," said van Barneveld.
"I thought I had him the whole way through the match and then he takes out the 161 and I thought it was going to happen all over again. I'm glad I kept my cool and the 180 in the last leg was massive. That's a great win for me."
James Wade was also a 6-0 winner as he outclassed Darren Hayes, whose sub-70 average was nowhere near enough to compete.
Wade didn't allow his opponent a single chance to take a leg, averaging just shy of 96 and hitting six of nine doubles for a straightforward success.
Wade now plays Michael Smith who beat Adam Rowe 6-2 to kick-off the event, which takes place from Friday to Sunday.
Smith didn't need to be at his best to comfortably account for his 50-year-old opponent, who cut a 4-0 deficit to 5-2 before exiting the competition played close to his home.
Smith threw two maximums to his opponent's one, but averaged just 88.29 and instead relied on some accurate finishing, hitting six of his 14 attempts at double with the highlight a 120 to seal victory.
Smith is 4/5 to beat Wade who is 10/11.
Peter Wright followed Smith into round two, though his was the more impressive display as he beat Rhys Mathewson by the same scoreline.
Wright threw at an average of 100.24 and hit six of 13 doubles as he saw off his young opponent with greater ease than had been the case in last year's Sydney Masters clash, which went the distance.
Daryl Gurney produced a scintillating display to thrash Koha Kokiri 6-0 and set up a tasty quarter-final meeting with Wright.
Gurney, a recent semi-finalist in the World Matchplay, didn't miss a single double and threw four maximums as he averaged a stunning 106.09.
Kokiri was allowed just two attempts at double, both of which went begging as a ruthless Gurney laid down an early marker in Australia.
Wright is 1/2 favourite with Sky Bet, while Gurney is 6/4.
Leading home hope Simon Whitlock was another 6-2 winner, although opponent Justin Thompson will be left to rue what might have been after missing 16 leg darts in a low-scoring encounter.
Whitlock will now meet Gary Anderson after he beat Rob Szabo 6-1, his consistent scoring proving too much for another local who failed to average 80.
Anderson is 1/5 to win the match with Whitlock 100/30.
Click here for the full tournament schedule and results
Friday August 25 (1900 local time, 1200 BST)
First Round (Best of 11 legs)
Michael Smith 6-2 Adam Rowe
Peter Wright 6-2 Rhys Mathewson
Daryl Gurney 6-0 Koha Kokiri
James Wade 6-0 Darren Hayes
Simon Whitlock 6-2 Justin Thompson
Phil Taylor 6-4 Kyle Anderson
Gary Anderson 6-1 Rob Szabo
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Corey Cadby
Saturday August 26 (1900 local time, 1200 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
James Wade v Michael Smith
Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright v Daryl Gurney
Sunday August 27 (7pm local time, 1000 BST)
Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)
Two matches TBC
Final (Best of 21 legs)
Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2