Phil Taylor won nine consecutive legs to ease past qualifier Steve Grubb 3-0 and set up a second round clash with Holland's Michael Van Gerwen at the PDC World Championship.

As expected the world number one had far too much in his armoury for outclassed Bristolian publican Grubb who did not even get a single shot at a double during the one-sided contest at Alexandra Palace.

Taylor was by no means at his very best, finishing with an average of around 98, but was clinical when he needed to be to close out a comprehensive victory.

'The Power' took the first leg against the darts to set the tone for proceedings and then took out 80 to move two clear.

As he did a couple of times during the match, he missed three darts at double 16 in the next, but rediscovered his aim with the fourth to close out the set.

Struggling to make any impact, Grubb watched on as Taylor landed double-top and then double-12 to ease two legs ahead in the next set.

He faltered again on 16 in the third leg, but with Grubb still some way back it mattered little, except to his average, as he eventually located it to move two sets up.

Grubb did improve in the third set, but Taylor ruthlessly checked out 84 and then 48 to put himself just one leg from victory.

He missed two darts at double-top, but once again made his class tell as he threaded home the third to close out a routine win.

The 13-times world champion now faces van Gerwen after the Dutchman came from a set down to beat American number one Darin Young.

Young looked in solid form as he clinched a first set that went with darts in every leg.

He then took the first of the next set against the darts, but that served to rouse his opponent who hit back immediately and went on to level the match as he hit double-four for the set.

Van Gerwen won the next by three legs to one and, with Young struggling for consistency wrapped up victory in the fourth as he clinically checked out 64.

Kevin McDine produced a polished display to see off Alex Roy with a 3-1 triumph.

The young Geordie stormed two sets clear before missing some doubles to allow his opponent to reduce the deficit.

But he was always in charge in the fourth and sealed victory with a superb 108 check-out.

Earlier in the evening world number nine Alan Tabern produced a fine display to thrash Steve Beaton 3-0.

Tabern allowed his opponent just three legs during the encounter and looked highly composed as he set up a second round clash with Dutchman Co Stompe.

American David Fatum fared better than his compatriot Young as he edged past fellow qualifier Shane O'Connor to earn himself a first-round match-up with Wayne Mardle.

Leading by four legs to two, Fatum missed a host of doubles to let his opponent square at 4-4 and force a tie-breaker.

But he recovered his composure to land double-two to edge 5-4 ahead and then hit tops in the next to end O'Connor's resistance.