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MICHAEL VAN GERWEN’s bid to win a third successive BetVictor World Matchplay crown was ended in the quarter-finals by Phil Taylor, who went on to win his 16th title in Blackpool.

World number one Van Gerwen was defeated 16-6 by Taylor, who went on to beat Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright to triumph in his final appearance at the Winter Gardens.

Van Gerwen had defeated Stephen Bunting and Simon Whitlock to reach the last eight, with ‘The Wizard’ bowing out at the hands of MVG after seeing off Kyle Anderson in round one.

Steve West was exceptional in his debt win over Michael Smith but was eliminated by Darren Webster in the last 16.

Scottish duo John Henderson and Robert Thornton were defeated in the first round by Mensur Suljovic and Cristo Reyes respectively.