Taylor does enough

Phil Taylor
12 April 2012

Phil 'The Power' Taylor started his bid for a 16th world title with a 3-0 victory over Haruki Muramatsu at the PDC World Championships at Alexandra Palace.

Taylor was not on top form but he was still too strong for his opponent - who had booked his match with the world number one with victory over Dennis Nilsson - and moved into the second round.

Muramatsu showed no signs of being overawed but instead displayed calm from the outset, immediately responding in the first set when Taylor took an instant lead.

Taylor was not especially impressive at the start and the Japanese player fluffed a chance to go 2-1 up but he settled down and moved into a one-set lead, finishing on a 12-darter.

Muramatsu then threw double top for the first game of the second set but the Briton eased through for a 2-0 lead. Muramatsu took the first leg of the third before Taylor won the next two.

Taylor missed double 20 and double 10 for victory but his opponent could not take advantage and the Briton returned to hit double five and move into the next round.

Wes Newton beat Kurt van de Rijck 3-0 although the match was closer than the score indicated.

Newton displayed the consistency of a top-10 player to take the opening set. Van De Rijck hit a 12-dart finish in the fourth game of the second but a double 20 saw Newton go two sets up.

Van De Rijck had not really got his rewards but he levelled at 2-2 in the third set only for Newton to edge victory.

Co Stompe threw four 180s as he eased to a 3-0 win against the highly-rated 21-year-old Michael Smith and Justin Pipe eased through to the second round with a 3-1 victory over Sean Reed in the opening match.

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