Phil Taylor (4/11 Outright) admits he has some improvements to make despite starting the defence of his totesport.com Players Championship with a routine 6-2 win over Peter Manley on Thursday.

Taylor powered into a 4-0 lead before losing the next two legs at the Circus Tavern but he eventually proved too strong and will take his place in the second round.

‘The Power’ said afterwards: “I’ll have to improve throughout the tournament but I’m through and that’s all that mattered.

“At 4-0 I could feel Peter coming back at me but I dug in and ground out the win.”

The first round concludes on Friday evening in Purfleet before Taylor returns to action on Saturday against Terry Jenkins (25/1 Outright).

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