Taylor whitewash in Holland

Taylor: Into last eight

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Defending champion Phil Taylor reached the quarter-finals of the European Championships on Saturday after whitewashing Robert Thornton 9-0 in Hoofddorp, Holland.

The 14-times World Champion averaged 110.88 with three 11-dart legs to set up a last eight meeting with Thornton's fellow Scot Gary Anderson.

"No-one likes to see a fellow pro lose to nil but I just try my best and I'm here to win - that's what I do, it's my job," Taylor told www.pdc.tv.

"Whoever beats me will have to play out of their skin - Colin Osborne did it at the Championship League and that gave me a kick up the backside which does you good every now and then," he added.

However, Taylor's great rival Raymond van Barneveld exited the tournament after opponent Mark Walsh came back from 6-1 down to beat the Dutchman 9-7.

Walsh now plays Steve Beaton, who saw off Van Barneveld's compatriot Michael van Gerwen by the same score.

In the final match of the second round, James Wade beat Andy Hamilton 9-5 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Mervyn King.

Earlier in the day, Jelle Klaasen progressed after edging a hard-fought match against Jamie Caven.

He now faces Colin Lloyd after he opened the Saturday afternoon session with a 9-5 victory over Mensur Suljovic.

Anderson set up his meeting with Taylor after beating Ronnie Baxter 9-1 while King beat Osborne 9-6.