Taylor strolls through at Ally Pally

Phil Taylor eased into the second round of the World Darts Championship with a routine 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland’s Michael Mansell at Alexandra Palace yesterday.

The 15-time world champion wrapped up the first set but didn’t look too happy with an average of just 84.

A dismal second set from Mansell saw Taylor on the verge of victory and another 3-0 set duly followed. Taylor told Sky Sports: “It was a struggle. I was trying to kick in. I don’t think I have ever practised better in my life. I have won, I’ve won 3-0, so it’s not a low point. The atmosphere is fantastic.”

Two other former world champions also reached the last 32 without dropping a set – John Part seeing off “The Rockstar” Joe Cullen in emphatic fashion, and Raymond van Barneveld crushing Michael Smith of England.

Scotland’s Gary Anderson was facing a battle from Jani Haavisto when the Finnish outsider levelled things at 1-1. But the Eyemouth man refocused and got the job done, winning 3-1.