Phil Taylor

Taylor throws down the gauntlet

Published: Sunday, 15 November 2009, 12:38PM

Phil Taylor began his bid for a third successive PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts title with a 5-0 whitewash of Anastasia Dobromyslova on Saturday night.

Taylor, the reigning champion, proved imperious in averaging 105 in his opening group game at the Wolverhampton Civic, restricting the Russian to just one dart at a double in the contest.

Taylor will take on Mark Webster on Sunday night, after the Welshman defeated Vincent van der Voort in the other Group A opener.

"It's a good start from me and I'm pleased," said Taylor. "It was always going to be hard playing Anastasia because we know each other so well, but she's got so much potential."

Webster, the 2008 BDO World Champion, averaged almost 100 and hit five of 11 darts at a double in an impressive display.

"I was nervous beforehand but I felt good and it's my best display for a while," said Webster. "I'll give it a big go against Phil and I've a great chance to go through now."

The opening night of the £400,000 event also featured a second whitewash, as Mervyn King - a semi-finalist in Wolverhampton last year - swept past Kirk Shepherd 5-0.

ITV Wildcard Qualifier Steve Maish, who only won his place in the tournament a week ago, defeated 2008 quarter-finalist Darryl Fitton 5-3 in Group C's other match.

Raymond van Barneveld won the all-Dutch battle with current Womens World Champion Francis Hoenselaar 5-1, although he needed a key 160 checkout in seeing off his female opponent.

Van Barneveld meets Kevin Painter in Sunday's second Group D game, after the Englishman defeated John Part 5-3.

Painter hit six 180s and two 11-darters in seeing off the three-time World Champion, and said: "It's nice to open the group with a win and if I can beat Raymond that should put me through."

Tony O'Shea, the BDO World Championship runner-up to Ted Hankey in January, opened his challenge with a 5-3 win over Brian Woods in his Grand Slam of Darts debut.

Colin Osborne was Group B's other winner on the opening night, coming from 3-0 down to defeat Colin Lloyd 5-3.

Play continues on Sunday, with Groups E-H playing their first games in the afternoon session from 12pm, which includes BDO World Champion Hankey up against Scott Waites.

Simon Whitlock plays Wayne Mardle in the other Group E match, while James Wade - who hit a nine-darter in the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts - meets American Gary Mawson.

The evening session sees Groups A-D play their second games.

PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts Results

First Round - Group Stage

Game One, Groups A-D Results

Mervyn King 5-0 Kirk Shepherd

Raymond van Barneveld 5-1 Francis Hoenselaar

Tony O'Shea 5-3 Brian Woods

Colin Osborne 5-3 Colin Lloyd

Phil Taylor 5-0 Anastasia Dobromyslova

Kevin Painter 5-3 John Part

Steve Maish 5-1 Darryl Fitton

Mark Webster 5-3 Vincent van der Voort