Phil Taylor began the defence of his Tokyo Darts Masters title with a comprehensive victory over Japan’s number one Haruki Muramatsu, as all eight Japanese players were eliminated on the opening day of the World Series event at the Yoyogi Olympic Hall on Wednesday.
Taylor averaged 97.20 en route to a 6-2 victory against a dogged Muramatsu, who fought valiantly but was unable to produce his best game. The opening three legs went with throw, but Taylor secured the first break of throw with a clinical 106 finish in leg four, and ‘The Power’ was in cruise control from this moment onwards.
Last year’s finalist Peter Wright progressed to the last eight by virtue of a 6-0 whitewash against Chikara Fujimori. Snakebite averaged 92.97 and converted 66% of his double attempts to breeze through. Fujimori missed doubles for 96 and 154 finishes, but the Scot was in clinical mood, with the highlight being a majestic 140 finish in leg four.
Michael van Gerwen overcome a spirited performance from Masumi Chino to move into the quarter-finals. Van Gerwen averaged a modest 93.24, and Chino kept himself in contention with wonderful finishes of 140, 66 and 101. However, MvG produced a timely 14-darter in the ninth leg, to wrap up a 6-3 victory.
