Phil Taylor has produced a scintillating display to defeat Michael Smith by a 13-6 scoreline at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
The world number two trailed 2-0 during the early stages but the fourteen-time Matchplay titlist found his groove to achieve the incredible feat of hitting three 126 checkouts in the space of six legs.
In the ninth leg, Taylor had the Winter Gardens crowd on their feet after hitting his second nine-dart finish at the event, hitting double 12 for a 144 checkout after previous scores of 180 and 177.
Smith, who famously defeated Taylor at last year's World Championship, clawed a couple of legs back near the end of the game before Taylor confirmed his place in the last eight with a 10-darter.
The Stoke-on-Trent thrower will now play Wes Newton, who survived a 5-0 deficit and five missed match darts from Paul Nicholson to eventually run out a 15-13 victor.
Gary Anderson booked his place in the quarter-finals after he recorded an average in excess of 104 to beat Stephen Bunting by a 13-8 scoreline.
The Scot will face Adrian Lewis in the last eight after the two-time world champion posted a 13-8 win over Mervyn King.
