Phil Taylor (1/6 to retain his crown with Totesport.com) took another step towards a 15th world title as he thrashed Adrian Lewis 5-0 in the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship on Friday.

‘The Power’averaged 107, fired ten 180 maximums and only conceded four legs to set up a semi-final clash against Mark Webster, following his win over Co Stompe in his last eight tie.

Afterwards Taylor admitted he was now finding his best form and, ominously for the rest of the players still left in the competition, admitted he is fully focused on retaining his title.

“I thought there was a lot of pressure on Adrian to be fair,” said Taylor after his latest win.

“It’s OK getting past the first and second round but then you’ve got to perform. But you can start to play your proper darts now and that’s what I did. He was fantastic, but I just didn’t give him a chance really.

“I was focused, I wasn’t nervous. I was a bit excited about the game. I’m here to win the world championship, I really am up for this.”

Raymond van Barneveld, meanwhile, will meet Australian Simon Whitlock in the other semi-final after he also thrashed England’s Ronnie Baxter 5-0 while Whitlock beat world number three James Wade 5-3 at Alexandra Palace.