 Taylor was in imperious form against Painter
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Top seed Phil Taylor recovered from losing the first set to beat Kevin Painter 4-1 and reach the last eight of the PDC World Championships.
A maximum by Painter gave him the opening set but Taylor soon found his rhythm to level the match.
Taylor broke in the first leg of the third set to go on a 10-leg streak and there was no way back for Painter.
Third seed James Wade advanced to the third round by beating Tony Eccles but was less than convincing in a 4-2 win.
Painter began strongly against Taylor and wrapped up the opening set 3-1 with a double eight but he lost his first throw of the second set and then twice missed the chance to clinch the second leg, allowing Taylor to capitalise and hit double 16 en route to taking the set.
But 'The Power' upped his game in the third set, claiming the break with double top and he ominously followed that up immediately with a maximum to assert his authority.
Painter's composure was lost as he then twice missed chances to stay in the set, allowing the 13-times world champion to comfortably secure it 3-0.
Taylor hit maximums in consecutive legs to start the fourth set, and although his rival responded with a 180 of his own there was no denying the top seed as he wrapped up the fourth set with his ninth consecutive leg in a row.
Painter showed some fight in the fifth set, twice hitting maximums, but it was not enough as Taylor set up a meeting with either eighth seed Wayne Mardle or Co Stompe.
Wade struggled for consistency against Eccles but held his nerve at key moments to hold off the challenge of his rival who had beaten him earlier in the season at the World Grand Prix in Dublin.
Next up for Wade in the last 16 will be quickfire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort after he beat Colin Osborne 4-1 while sixth seed Adrian Lewis was knocked out by World Championship debutant Paul Nicholson in a 4-3 thriller.
Nicholson, born in England but representing Australia, held his nerve in the deciding set to take it 6-4.
"It was a scrap from start to finish," Nicholson said. "I don't think there was anything between me and Adie and it was going to take something special to break his throw in that last set.
He will meet Dennis Priestley in the third round after he defeated 67-year-old John MaGowan 4-1.
Barrie Bates joined Taylor last eight after a comfortable 4-0 win over former finalist Mark Dudbridge in the night's final match.
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