Darts: Chisnall's toppling of Taylor opens up World Championship

Dave Chisnall stunned Alexandra Palace by knocking out 15-times world champion Phil Taylor

When Dave Chisnall sunk his winning double six to knock Phil Taylor out of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace last night, you could almost hear the cheers of the other players left in the tournament.

Each of them can now sense a real chance of becoming world champion and writing their name in the history books.

Taylor may not have been in vintage form, but would still have had far too much for most players.

His reputation alone is sometimes enough to see him through, but Chisnall was not overawed and if anything it was he who was doing the bullying.

Chisnall's power scoring is up there with the likes of Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson, but it is his doubles which have let him down in the past.

On this occasion though, he barely missed a double and that was the difference.

Whenever Taylor gave him a chance, he took it.

That threw Taylor off his game and he started missing doubles, while his trademark high checkouts never came to fruition.

When Taylor is up against a talented opponent like Chisnall, he normally demoralises them with high finishes, in the 130-170 bracket, but his highest checkout against Chisnall was just 70 and that tells you all you need to know.

Taylor graciously applauded Chisnall after he sealed victory

He missed two darts at a double in the opening leg and later said that put him off his game, and that is very unlike Taylor.

Usually, he can put disappointments to one side and continue hammering the big scores, but there was clearly something not right with him yesterday.

Taylor didn't play badly - his average was above 100, after all - but he didn't take his chances when they materialised and that is so unlike him.

All the credit must go to Chisnall, though.

Everyone knew he had the talent to beat Taylor but it was unclear whether he had the temperament and audacity to do it on the big stage.

To beat the 15-times world champion is one thing, but to beat him 4-1, at a stage of the tournament he had never lost before, was stunning.

It would have been easy for him to suffer from nerves in the closing stages but he was on for a nine-darter in the final leg after two straight 180s, so it is clear his temperament is excellent.

Chisnall has had a superb first year in the PDC

Chisnall only joined the PDC in January but he has already made great strides, and this win should give him the confidence to compete at the business end of tournaments consistently.

Other players would rather face him than Taylor though and so the tournament has now opened up and is anyone's to win.

This is not the end for Taylor - after all, it is only a matter of weeks since he swept everyone aside at the Grand Slam with averages in excess of 110.

He will be back and will win more major titles, but will never be as dominant as he once was.

There are too many other exceptional players out there and so Taylor is inevitably going to take the odd beating now.

He is not as feared as he once was as opponents have seen he is beatable, so the next few years could be the most challenging of his career.

If Chisnall can continue this form and keep hitting his doubles, he will be a major contender for the championship.

He is a former Lakeside runner-up and so has the experience of going deep into big tournaments, so has to be in the running.

He will face Andy Hamilton in the next round - a match which is sure to be a real battle - but should fancy his chances of a real tilt at the title.

Adrian Lewis will feel more confident of defending his crown now Taylor is out, although he has been unconvincing thus far.

Lewis has not looked in title-winning form

Gary Anderson is the new favourite to win the tournament, although he will have to improve to stand a chance.

Paul Nicholson does not lack confidence and is playing some great darts, so he could be the dark horse for the title.

James Wade has the experience of winning majors and has been consistent in his two matches, John Part has been there and done it in the World Championships, Simon Whitlock is in fantastic form despite having a broken ankle, Kevin Painter has renewed confidence after his first major win, Terry Jenkins looked magnificent in the first two sets against Co Stompe and Michael Van Gerwen has the talent to go all the way.

This tournament certainly is there for the taking and everyone left in must feel confident of creating history.

Chisnall has as much of a chance as anybody after his fantastic win over Taylor, and his lack of nerves on the big stage could make all the difference.

Taylor will not be adding to his 15 world titles this year but don't write him off just yet.

Title number 16 could be just a year away.

For one lucky player though, title number one (except for Lewis and Part) could be just around the corner.