Phil Taylor avenged last year's defeat to Steve Beaton in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Monday night as he put one foot into the tournament's last 16 in Wolverhampton.
The three-time Grand Slam of Darts champion saw his reign in the tournament ended 12 months ago with a quarter-final defeat to Beaton.
However, he secured a second successive group stage win in this year's event with a 5-3 victory over Beaton.
Beaton actually led 2-1 early on, finishing 120 to break throw in the third leg, but Taylor hit an 11-darter in hitting back to lead before finishing 107 for victory.
"Steve's a great player and he really pushed me again tonight," said Taylor. "He beat me here last year so I knew I had to be on my game tonight to get the result.
"It's in my hands now to get through to the last 16 and I know I'll have a tough game on my hands on Wednesday against Mervyn.
King defeated youngster James Hubbard 5-3 earlier on Monday night to join Beaton on two points in Group E, tension set to be high as they battle for spots in the second round.
Reigning champion Adrian Lewis powered through to the knockout stages, following up his narrow win over Martin Phillips on Sunday with a brilliant 5-1 defeat of Co Stompe, hitting five 180s and averaging 109.39 in the process.
Phillips' 5-2 victory over Vincent van der Voort means that the Dutchman is now eliminated from the event and the Welsh left-hander meets Stompe on Wednesday in a shoot-out for a place in the second round.
Paul Nicholson remains unbeaten in Group F following a 5-4 win over Wes Newton, hitting five 180s in an impressive performance and sealing victory with a 13-dart finish to put move closer to a second round spot for the first time in the event.
Sweden's Magnus Caris took a 5-1 win over Barrie Bates in the night's other game to set up a tasty clash with Nicholson on Wednesday and leave Newton needing to defeat the Welshman to keep his hopes alive.
Group G also remains wide open, with Mark Webster remaining unbeaten following his 5-1 win over John Part and Holland's Jan Dekker hitting five out of seven darts at a double in a 5-1 win over Arron Monk.
Webster faces Dekker in their final game, while Part plays Monk, although the Under-21 World Champion would need a heavy victory and a
Webster win if he was to stand any chance of qualifying.
Groups A-D play their final first round games on Tuesday night, with only Dean Winstanley and Mark Walsh so far assured of a place in the last 16.
Stoke-born duo Ted Hankey and Ian White will do battle to join Winstanley in qualifying from Group B, while Tony O'Shea and Michael van Gerwen fight for the right to progress from Group A alongside Walsh, with reigning champion Scott Waites eliminated following two defeats.
The other two groups have plenty to play for, with unbeaten Wolverhampton favourite Wayne Jones meeting Gary Anderson and Nigel Heydon playing winless Brendan Dolan in Group C.
James Wade heads Group D on four points following two wins and meets Terry Jenkins, while Justin Pipe meets Dave Chisnall in their other game.
William Hill Grand Slam of Darts
Tuesday November 15
Groups E-H Second Games
Barrie Bates 1-5 Magnus Caris
Mervyn King 5-3 James Hubbard
Jan Dekker 5-1 Arron Monk
Vincent van der Voort 2-5 Martin Phillips
Mark Webster 5-1 John Part
Phil Taylor 5-3 Steve Beaton
Wes Newton 4-5 Paul Nicholson
Adrian Lewis 5-1 Co Stompe
Tuesday November 15 (7pm)
Groups A-D Final Games
Raymond van Barneveld v Dean Winstanley
Mark Walsh v Scott Waites
Brendan Dolan v Nigel Heydon
Justin Pipe v Dave Chisnall
Tony O'Shea v Michael van Gerwen
James Wade v Terry Jenkins
Ted Hankey v Ian White
Gary Anderson v Wayne Jones
Wednesday November 16 (7pm)
Groups E-H Final Games
Adrian Lewis v Vincent van der Voort
Wes Newton v Barrie Bates
Steve Beaton v James Hubbard
John Part v Arron Monk
Co Stompe v Martin Phillips
Phil Taylor v Mervyn King
Mark Webster v Jan Dekker
Paul Nicholson v Magnus Caris
