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TINKER TAYLOR SOLDIERS THROUGH ALONGSIDE LEWIS AND WRIGHT

LEGENDARY 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor moved into the third round at Alexandra Palace despite another change of equipment, as Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright enjoyed comfortable William Hill World Darts Championship wins.

Taylor, who had used a new set of darts in his first round victory over Keita Ono, reverted back to his old style of barrel but used newly designed stems as he came back from losing the first set to defeat Kevin Painter 4-1. The number three seed - and second favourite with title sponsors William Hill to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy - hit seven 180s and took out a fabulous 170 checkout as he moved into the last 16, despite missing 34 darts at a double during the game.

"I believe that my set-up is perfect now," said Taylor, who will take on Jelle Klaasen or Meryvn King in round three. "That was a struggle and a bit of a nail-biter but that's because I've been practicing so well with these darts and that actually made me a bit nervous. I make these changes to make myself better and I can stick with this set-up now and concentrate on the World Championship. The tournament starts now. I'm excited that I know I can still compete and I just need to take my practice game onto the stage."

Two-time World Champion Lewis produced a sublime performance to dismantle Andrew Gilding in straight sets. The world number five hit eight 180s and averaged over 103 - the second highest of the tournament so far - as he dropped just two legs in a vintage display.

"I knew I had to be on my game and I couldn't be happier," said Lewis, who is chasing a third World Championship triumph, having won the sport's showpiece title in 2011 and 2012. "I know what quality Andrew has in his locker so I had to punish him from the start and not let him get going. I'm really up for this. If you can't get excited about the World Championship then you shouldn't be playing darts and I'm not here to make up the numbers - I'm here to win it."

Wright eased to a straight sets victory against Belgium's Ronny Huybrechts, setting up a tasty last 16 clash with Dave Chisnall. The 2014 runner-up hit nine 180s and averaged just under 100 in a comfortable win to please his fans, who provided vocal support throughout the match.

"The crowd were all singing my name and I didn't want to let them down," said Wright, who is yet to drop a set in this year's tournament. "My consistency wasn't always there but I tried to get a business head on and I got a good win in the end. Chizzy has been playing well for a long time now so I will need to turn it on for him."

Earlier in the day, Mark Webster claimed an impressive straight sets victory over Terry Jenkins as Mensur Suljovic edged a seven set thriller and Alan Norris also progressed.

Two-time Alexandra Palace semi-finalist Webster continued his recent revival as he dropped just four legs against veteran star Terry Jenkins. The Welsh left-hander, who reached the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in October, set up a third round clash with Norris, who enjoyed a 4-1 success against Joe Murnan.

"I played steady darts and I'm pleased to be through," said Webster, the 2008 Lakeside Champion. "It didn't look brilliant but I got the job done I've been working hard on getting my game right for a while now. I had issues with my technique which I'm still in the process of correcting but I'm making it work for me at the moment. The next match is a real opportunity for me or Alan and hopefully I'll take it."

Ally Pally debutant Norris hit 11 180s as he defeated Joe Murnan in five sets. The former Lakeside Championship finalist, who won a Players Championship event in his first year on the PDC circuit, followed up his first round triumph over sixth seed Robert Thornton with another convincing display.

"A win is a win and I'm through to the last 16 so it's happy days," said Norris, who has hit two nine-darters in his first week on the PDC circuit back in January. "I've felt comfortable and confident and I'm really enjoying playing here. "I can play better and I'll need to as the tournament goes on but if I can just improve my doubles then I can go further."

Austrian star Suljovic came out on top in a thrilling seven-set battle against a tenacious David Pallett, in a game that saw both players miss attempts at a double for nine-darters. After six sets were shared, 2015 World Grand Prix and Players Championship semi-finalist Suljovic showed his class to win the final set, completing the victory with an 84 finish on the bull to set up a clash with Lewis on Tuesday evening.

"David is such a great player and at one point I thought 'I'm going to lose this match' but I never give up and I'm really happy that I came back and ended up winning," said Suljovic, who also missed the double for a nine-darter in Minehead last month. "I tried to wait for his mistakes and when he did miss I waited and took my chances. I told my friends in Austria that I would hit a nine-darter so I was a little bit sad that I missed it but I will hit it next time - it will be third time lucky."

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