Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson battle through to World Matchplay semi-finals

Phil Taylor has progressed through to the World Matchplay semi-finals with a 16-14 victory over Mervyn King.

The 15-time winner won five of the opening seven legs to establish a lead over his former rival before King began to show the form that had seen him defeat James Wade and Brendan Dolan earlier in the tournament.

King led 9-7 and 13-12 before Taylor hit a 124 checkout that turned the contest in his favour and although King continued to fight on, he could not deny Taylor securing a place in the last four.

The Stoke-on-Trent thrower will face Gary Anderson for a spot in Sunday's final after the world champion held off a spirited fightback from Steve Beaton.

Anderson won eight of the first 11 legs to take control of the match before a stunning comeback from Beaton saw him level the game at 12 legs apiece.

However, that was as good as it got for the 1996 Lakeside winner as Anderson took three out of the next four legs to run out a 16-13 winner.