Taylor moves step closer to another world title

Phil Taylor held off a spirited fightback from Gary Anderson to move closer to a dream William Hill World Darts Championship final against defending champion Michael van Gerwen.

The 57-year-old, playing in his last tournament before retirement, claimed a 5-3 victory at Alexandra Palace to keep alive his hopes of winning a 17th world title.

Van Gerwen was made to work significantly harder on his way to a 5-4 win over Dutch compatriot Raymond van Barneveld in a thrilling quarterfinal.

Taylor will meet provisional-round qualifier Jamie Lewis in the first of today’s semi-finals, while Van Gerwen will take on Rob Cross.

Two-time world champion Anderson beat Taylor in the 2015 final but he was in danger of being blown away after falling 4-1 behind in double-quick time.

The Scot rallied and threatened to take the match into a decider at 2-2 in the eighth set, only for Taylor to hold his nerve to find double 10.

Van Gerwen is the biggest threat to Taylor’s hopes of ending his glittering career on a high and the 2016 winner displayed his champion qualities to secure a nervy win over Van Barneveld.

The top seed was in danger of exiting the tournament at the quarter-final stage after Van Barneveld made it 4-4 to set up a decider. But Van Gerwen dug deep to avoid a repeat of his 2016 defeat at the hands of Van Barneveld.

Van Gerwen will take on Cross after the 20th seed held off Dimitri Van den Bergh to claim a 5-4 victory.

Earlier, Lewis stormed into the semifinals with a 5-0 whitewash of Darren Webster.

Phil Taylor on his way to beating Scot Gary Anderson. Picture: Getty.