Taylor celebrates taking another set

The 10-time champion will face Kevin Painter, who whitewashed Bob Anderson 6-0 in the other semi-final, as he bids for an 11th title.

Taylor surged into a 4-0 lead against Mardle before easing up slightly as his opponent took the fifth set.

But "The Power" hit back in the next, only for Mardle to bravely make it 5-2 before Taylor clinched victory.

Painter, beaten by eventual champion John Part in a thrilling semi-final 12 months ago, took the first three legs against Anderson to clinch the opening set.

And "The Artist" moved impressively through the gears against the 1988 world champion to seal a whitewash.

Painter was in good form after earlier wins over Paul Williams, Ronnie Baxter and talented newcomer Mark Dudbridge.

Everything went right for me Kevin Painter

The first two legs of the second were shared before Painter edged a crucial third leg - probably the decisive moment in the match.

Anderson wanted single nine but landed his dart in the treble bed, allowing Painter the chance to nail double eight and take control of the set.

The 35-year-old then won nine of the next 14 legs to move within one set of a place in the final.

There was no way back for Anderson and his opponent nailed three double 20s to seal an emphatic win.

"I feel sorry for Bob because I wouldn't like that to happen to me," said Painter.

"But he told me not to apologise because he would have done it to me given the chance," said Painter.

"I never really missed a thing and everything went right for me. I stayed cool under pressure and I'm looking forward to the final now."