Phil 'The Power' Taylor was in ominous form as he dismantled the challenge of Dutch prodigy Michael van Gerwen with a 4-0 victory at the Ladbrokes.com World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen was expected to provide the multi-world champion with serious opposition and even though he had a 99 average, the 19-year-old was powerless to stop Taylor who produced a scintillating display and managed a 102 average.

The Stoke thrower raced into a 2-0 lead in the first set before the Dutchman started the third with 180 and pulled it back to 2-1.

However, 'The Power' looked threatening as the pair produced some world-class darts and took the first leg.

Taylor then hit consecutive 180s with his first two visits to the oche in the second set, the Dutchman hit back with one of his own but the world number one hit a 10-darter to close out to go 1-0 up.

He then took out 105 to go 2-0 ahead and a double 16 saw Taylor claim the set and he continued in the same vein in the third with an average of almost 108.

Van Gerwen was snatching at his darts and started to show his frustration but managed to pull back to 2-1 with a 13-dart leg, but he failed to take advantage of the slightest Taylor wobble with the Briton closing out for a 3-0 lead.

Taylor then hit a maximum in the first leg of the fourth to go one up before Van Gerwen levelled.

Taylor went 2-1 up after Van Gerwen missed a double and although the Dutch thrower was in sight of the set, Taylor hit the bull to claim a 4-0 win.

"I'm very pleased," said Taylor. "Every time he hit a big shot I wanted to match him and put him under pressure, and I did that.

"He's got a lot to learn yet but he was playing the master! I'm here to win the World Championship and I really want this title."

Van Gerwen admitted: "He checked out everything and there's nothing you can do against that performance. He played really well and I think he will win the tournament."

Mark Dudbridge completed a 4-0 victory over Mensur Suljovic although the scoreline did not do justice to the Austrian.

Suljovic, who beat three-time finalist Peter Manley in the previous round, pushed his opponent all the way but it was by delivering on the big darts that the 20th seed went through.

In the final match of the day, Wayne Mardle repelled the fightback of Robert Thornton to win a thrilling contest 4-3.

'Hawaii 501' appeared on course for victory when he went 3-1 up but his Scottish opponent produced consistent darts to level and push the game into a deciding set, which was taken by Mardle.

The number eight seed stepped up to the oche and threw a maximum to start proceedings and hit double top to go one up but Thornton hit back to win three legs and take the first set with both players averaging more than 100.

In the first leg of the second set, Mardle produced another maximum and then went 2-1 up before checking out on 116 to level the game at one set all.

The Essex thrower led in the third set with a 140 checkout before he and Thornton traded legs and Mardle claimed the set to go 2-1 up.

In the fourth set, Mardle pulled level to two legs each and in the decider missed a double 20 by some margin, but when his opponent failed to take advantage, he hit double five to go 3-1 up and one set from victory.

The Englishman closed out 145 to go one up in the fourth set but missed a chance to double his lead, Thornton taking advantage to level and then wrapping up the next two legs to go to 3-2 as Mardle missed chances to win the match.

The Scot was thriving and took a 2-0 lead in the sixth set. Mardle pulled back to level as both players missed doubles but Thornton closed out for 3-3 with an 11-darter.

In the final set, Mardle delivered the big darts to win 3-1 and take the victory.

"I should have won 4-1 but Robert was great and came back strongly," said Mardle. "I was just relieved to get through at the end but the crowd were amazing and I couldn't have won without them."