Phil Taylor powered his way to an impressive victory over John Part in the second round of the Stan James World Matchplay in Blackpool last night.
The 13-time world champion, who lost out to Canadian Part at the quarter-final stage 12 months ago, overcame a slow start to secure an emphatic 13-2 success against the newly-crowned Las Vegas Desert Classic champion.
Taylor, who finished with a three-dart average of 98.57, also registered the highest checkout of the week so far when he took out 160 in the seventh leg.
Part looked a shadow of player who defeated Raymond van Barneveld at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino just under a month ago and he was unable to respond.
Taylor, like all champions, is a great front-runner and reeled off the next five legs, closing out the match with double 16.
'I think I handled the heat better tonight,' said Taylor.
In the previous game Andy Hamilton claimed another major scalp with a win over fellow Stoke player Adrian Lewis.
Hamilton overcame Dutch superstar Van Barneveld in the qualifying competition before crushing Peter Manley 10-2 in the opening round at the Winter Gardens.
And he was too strong for Lewis in a pulsating contest played in humid conditions, closing out a 15-13 success to clinch his place in the last eight.
'I'm really pleased. I knew it was going to be tough because he's a quality player,' said Hamilton afterwards.
'I knew one of us would have to slip up, and I'm glad it was him and not me.'
Ronnie Baxter was the last man to book his place in the second round with a 10-4 win over Dennis Smith, who had to leave the stage at one point suffering from heat exhaustion.
At the end of the contest Smith was checked over by paramedics inside the arena but it was only a precautionary measure.
'It is very hot up there and of course you are under pressure as well,' said Baxter. 'But it's the same for everyone.'
During the afternoon session Andy Jenkins edged a titanic tussle with Alan Warriner-Little to clinch his place in the second round.
'Rocky' had his opponent on the ropes as he raced into a 6-0 lead - but Warriner-Little counter-punched his way back into the contest, levelling at 9-9.
However, Jenkins rediscovered his form at just the right time, winning successive legs to triumph 11-9.
Jenkins will face Roland Scholten in the last 16 after the Dutchman inflicted a 10-6 defeat on Andy Smith.
Scholten, who lost out to Taylor in the final of the Holsten Premier League back in May, registered nine 180s in the contest.
'With all the 180s I should have been well ahead, but he kept fighting back and performed well,' said Scholten.
'I've been feeling really good this week, very relaxed and confident. When I'm on stage I'm so focused.'
Mark Walsh also made it through the first round, securing a hard-fought 10-8 win over 'Diamond' Dave Askew, and will face Baxter for a quarter-final place.
Debutant James Wade blitzed tenth seed Denis Ovens to set up a second-round showdown with Kevin Painter.
The 23-year-old, who has achieved two nine-darters this year at the North-West Regional Final back in March and the PDPA Players' Championship last month, completely outplayed his opponent to wrap up a 10-1 success at the Winter Gardens.
