World Matchplay darts: Phil Taylor beats Stuart Kellett
Phil Taylor flexed his muscles at the World Matchplay in Blackpool with a dominant first round win over Stuart Kellett.
Last Updated: 22/07/13 12:22pm
Michael van Gerwen had a much tougher time of things against former champion Colin Lloyd, as he had to fight all the way to go through 10-7.
"Colin's a brilliant player and he never gave up, so I'm happy to have won that match," said van Gerwen.
"I'm really pleased to play so well in the first round because you always want to play well on this stage and I'm proud to do it. Winning the game was most important and I hope I can do well in this tournament."
The Power, the defending champion at the Winter Gardens, averaged over 103 and took out finishes of 161 and 134 as he booked a second round showdown with Terry Jenkins.
Taylor threatened to whitewash Kellett as he moved 7-0 in front, but after Taylor missed the Bull for a 164 finish, Kellett hit his first and only double of the match to at least get a leg on the board.
Two 180s in an 11-darter finished the job for Taylor - a winner in Blackpool 13 times in 19 years who looks like he is in no mood to suffer just a seventh defeat ever at the venue.
Nerves
"It's the first round here and with the nerve nobody's going to play that good in the first round, it's just about getting through it really and getting into the next round safely," Taylor told Sky Sports.
"It's my favourite venue, it's the famous Winter Gardens. I was looking at a program on Sky and you see the big names that have been on that stage and it's a fantastic venue - and the crowd make it even better."
Gary Anderson looked to have a tough assignment on his hands as he took on Mervyn King in his first round in Blackpool, but he managed to come through safe enough 10-5.
It could have been even more comfortable for The Flying Scotsman as he led 3-0 and then 8-2, but King kept on scrapping despite always looking likely to lose.
The games do not get any easier for Anderson either as he now has to face former champion James Wade in round two.
Paul Nicholson was hoping for a big run in Blackpool but he fell at the first hurdle as Dave Chisnall won his first ever game on the Winter Gardens stage.
The game was neck-and-neck throughout but it was Chisnall that just managed to pull ahead at just the right time to go through 10-8.