Taylor Eases Past Newton

Phil Taylor crushed Wes Newton 10-3 on Friday night to set up a quarter-final date with Paul Nicholson at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Taylor, the 15-times world champion, was in sublime form, opening with an 11-dart leg against the throw on the way to a 4-0 lead.

World number seven Newton, who had won just one of 18 previous meetings between the pair, did at least get on the board in the fifth leg.
But Taylor was in cruise control and eased away to victory, finishing with an average of 112 and a 71 per cent success rate on his doubles.
"I think tomorrow is going to be a cracker, me against Paul," Taylor told Sky Sports afterwards.
"He's a good character and great for the game. I do actually like Paul.
"The things he has said... It's just bravado. He is creating an image for himself and I think he will get a lot of stick tomorrow, and some support as well."

Comeback

In the evening's opening match at the Wolverhampton Civic Centre, Nicholson came from behind to beat Steve Beaton 10-8.
The Newcastle-born Australian found himself 6-3 down as Beaton, cheered on by a partisan crowd, dominated the opening exchanges.
But Nicholson hit an 82 checkout to reduce his deficit to two heading into the break, the start of a run of six straight legs.
He stumbled with the winning line in sight, Beaton closing the gap from 9-6 to 9-8 before Nicholson closed out the victory in the 18th leg.
The all-Welsh battle between Mark Webster and his mentor Martyn Phillips went the way of Webster by a 10-8 scoreline, although it was not entirely plain sailing.
Webster trailed 3-0 and 8-5 but, helped by missed doubles from Phillips, reeled off five legs in a row to turn things round just in time.
Webster will face Adrian Lewis in the last eight after the reigning world champion held off a spirited fightback from John Part.
Lewis looked to be cruising as he moved to within one leg of victory at 9-3.
But Canadian Part battled his way back to 9-8 before Lewis finally closed out another close contest.