Phil "the Power" Taylor has coasted into the third round of the World Championships with a convincing 4-1 win over American Steve Brown.

In what was a repeat of the event's 1994 semi-final, Brown rarely looked like troubling the 10-time world champion.

Taylor averaged a staggering 103 three-dart score throughout the contest and hit a total of six 180s en route to victory.

Brown showed a glimmer of hope in the opening leg, hitting a 180 with his first three darts before being overwhelmed for all but the third set.

Taylor now faces Wayne Mardle and warned his third-round opponent he would lift his game still further.

Phil is the greatest darts player that's ever lived but that doesn't mean he's not beatable Wayne Mardle on Phil Taylor

"I can play a lot better and next round I'm going to have to," said Taylor. "Wayne's playing really, really well. He's going to be a challenge.

"I honestly think whoever wins between me and Wayne has got a great chance of winning the tournament. He's cocky, young and arrogant so who knows?"

Mardle was marginally less confident in dispatching Peter Evison 4-3.

Despite going a set down, Evison ensured a nailbiting contest as he levelled the scores before eventually taking a commanding 3-1 set lead.

Mardle showed his steely determination to bulldoze his way back, finishing off legs with scores of 144 and 115 to set up a tense finale.

Evison held the upper hand by taking the first leg of the seventh and final set but Mardle, known as "Hawaii 501" on account of his bright shirts, sealed the next three legs to set up a Taylor showdown.

Menace mangled

And Mardle revealed: "Phil is the greatest darts player that's ever lived but that doesn't mean he's not beatable.

"I've beaten him before and, if I play my game, there's no reason why I can't beat him again."

In the night's other matches, Dennis Smith coasted past former world champion Dennis "The Menace" Priestley 4-1 while Jamie Harvey beat Mark Holden by the same scoreline.

Al Hedman was crushed 4-0 by Bob "the Limestone Cowboy" Anderson and Mick Manning ensured his place in the last 32 with a 4-2 win against Lee Palfreyman.