16-time world champion Phil Taylor is set to retire without a Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters crown to his name after holder Gary Anderson breezed to a comprehensive 10-3 humiliation on opening night.

‘The Flying Scotsman’ yesterday claimed his biggest-ever win against the sport’s dominant character, earned courtesy of a punishing 99.26 average and eight 180s. A merciless six legs in a row were attained to go 7-1 up, with 56-year-old Taylor – who will call it quits next January – unable to mount a sustained retort.

The victor had no qualms about ending his exalted opponent’s pursuit of one of the few pieces of silverware to elude him during a historic 30-year career.

“All the players don’t care, we are all after the title,” said Anderson, who will clash with 2017 UK Open champion Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright in tonight’s semi-finals. “It is one of these things.

“Phil is probably the hungriest darts player I’ve ever met, Michael [van Gerwen] being second. They just want to win everything.

“It is something I wish I had. I just go out there, play darts and sees what happens.”

The only regret for Anderson as the 2017 World Series got under way was the fact he’ll miss topping up his sun tan on Thursday afternoon. “It is always nice to get past the first round, but I’ll now miss some time at the pool,” he joked. “I’ll keep going and see what happens.

“To win any tournament, you’ve got to beat what is in front of you. Whether that is Peter [Wright], Michael [van Gerwen], Dave [Chisnall] it doesn’t matter – you’ve got to beat them all.”

Next opponent Wright’s lethal form continued as he made light work of Chisnall.

‘Snakebite’ powered to a 10-5 success, from which his opponent was rarely less than three legs in arrears. The 2014 Dubai runner-up will now fight to earn his shot at a ninth title of a trophy-laden year.

Wright said: “I wanted to play like that all the way through, but I didn’t. I fell asleep for a little while and then ‘Chizzy’ came back and I nearly let him in, but I dug it out.

“Conditions weren’t too bad really, it was okay. It was quite cool out there tonight, actually.”

World Series debutant Gerwyn Price was uncowed as ‘The Iceman’ kept his cool to edge a thriller against 2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade 10-9.

The 2017 UK Open runner-up critically broke to secure a deciding leg from 9-7 down, which he took with a double-six checkout. This battling triumph teed up a last-four clash tonight against three-time Dubai king Van Gerwen, who defeated fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld 10-5.

“I felt I held my nerve towards the end,” said Welshman Price, who ended a rugby career three years ago to pursue darts. “I was behind most of the game after the first leg and I was just hoping to get the break back, hold your leg and just stay in front.

“I’m just looking forward to it [the semi-final]. I’m the underdog every time when I’m out here.

“There are eight players [in total] and seven world class, top players here. I’m the underdog so I just go out there and play my best game.”