PHIL TAYLOR produced a darting masterclass to defeat Stoke rival Adrian Lewis 16-9 and win through to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts final.The world number one remains on course to win his fourth Grand Slam title on Sunday night following another stunning display which left World Champion Lewis applauding his display.
Taylor averaged 107.76 in the game, but finishes of 119, 111 and 108 proved crucial in keeping Lewis at bay as he swept into the final.
Lewis opened the game well by hitting a 180 in the first leg, but Taylor replied in kind as he hit a 13-darter which he followed with a 12-dart finished, including a second maximum and an 89 finish to break.
A second 180 from Lewis gave him the chance to break back in the third, but he missed two darts at double 18 as Taylor pinned 87 on the bull for a 3-0 lead.
Lewis finally got off the mark in the fourth leg, although he missed double 12 for a break in the fifth before Taylor landed double 16 for a 4-1 cushion.
The World Champion took out a brilliant ten-darter to win the sixth, although the leg was technically a nine-darter with one bounce-out as he hit a 180, 120, 177 and double 12.
After trading the next two legs with Lewis, Taylor punished a missed bull from his younger opponent - for a 167 checkout - to hit tops before landing the same bed to break throw in 12 darts and lead 7-3.
Taylor posted another maximum in the next, but when he missed two darts at double 12 Lewis stepped in to follow a 174 score with a fine 131 checkout to break in 12 darts before he notched his fifth maximum in a 13-dart finish to halve the deficit.
Taylor hit a 180 to set up an 84 finish in the 13th as he moved 8-5 up, but Lewis replied with another maximum and tops to win his sixth leg of the contest.
Lewis also left 24 with a superb 177 in the next as he sought to cut the gap to one leg, but in perhaps the game's most crucial moment Taylor finished 119 on tops to deny him and take a 9-6 lead into the break.
He returned with legs of 11 and 12 darts to break throw in a run of three more legs in taking a 12-6 cushion to pull away from Lewis, who finished 70 for the 19th leg.
Taylor then won three more in a row, finishing 108, 80 and 111 to move one leg away from a place in the final.
Lewis hit a 180 and finished 145 to hit back and took out 74 to pull back to 15-9 and threaten a comeback.
Lewis then landed his ninth maximum of the contest to threaten a further fightback, but Taylor replied in kind to leave 24 and finished double 12 for a 13-dart finish which sealed victory.
"It was a brilliant game," said Taylor "We went blow for blow and you don't see those type of games too often.
"Adrian doesn't give in and I had to keep hitting him hard and not miss. I had to take out my doubles and the 119 finish probably won me the game.
"I'll chill out and relax and when I go up for the final my mindset will be the same as it was against Adrian - I don't want to miss a thing."
Lewis admitted: "I was pushing hard early on and at 4-1 down at the first break I'd had chances.
"He took out some massive finishes - I hit the 177 to leave 24 and he took out the 119, and what a shot that was.
"It hurt me and I came back and he did it again on a couple of occasions That's why he's 15-time World Champion.
"It was a brilliant game and the ten-darter with the bounce-out was nice - but not quite enough!"
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