Taylor beaten by Beaton

Steve Beaton ended Phil Taylor's hopes of a fourth straight Daily Mirror Grand Slam of Darts title with a 16-14 win over the Power in Wolverhampton.

Beaton won the last five legs on the spin at the Civic Hall to see off the reigning champion and set up a semi-final clash with Scott Waites.

Taylor, who had been crowned champion in the first three years of the event, looked on course for the last four when he led 10-7 and then 14-11.

However former Lakeside champion Beaton hit back in sensational fashion before eventually stumbling over the finishing line, taking out double 16 having previously missed three darts at double top to win the match.

Amazing

"I didn't think I would get a second chance because you generally don't when you play Phil," he said afterwards.

"You don't get many chances when you play Phil and you've got to take them, and I did tonight. It's amazing and I'm determined to go on and win the tournament now on Sunday."

Standing in his way in the last four will be last year's beaten finalist Waites, who saw off Dutchman Co Stompe 16-10.

James Wade and Wayne Jones will meet in the other semi-final after both men came through 16-15 in the afternoon session.

Left-hander Wade, the world number two, edged out Terry Jenkins in a titanic tussle that saw both players combine to produce 11 ton-plus finishes.

After 22 legs there was nothing to split the pair but Wade seemed to have broken free when he surged into a 14-11 lead.

In the end he only just managed to get over the finishing line though; Jenkins fighting back, including producing an 11-darter to force a decider, only to fluff his chance when he had one dart for the match.

Mixed feelings

"I've got a mixture of relief and joy at winning that," admitted Wade afterwards. "Terry's a fantastic player and you have to play really well to beat him.

"I missed a few shots and he hit me where it hurts a few times, but I'll take the win gladly."

Jones' triumph was even more impressive considering he never led in his showdown with Gary Anderson before an 80 finish saw him through to the next round.

The Wolverhampton favourite trailed 4-1, 11-8 and 15-12 but managed to keep himself alive with some impressive finishing.

"It's amazing and I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "My plan was to get in front of him and hold it but I had to do it the other way and battle from behind.