Whitlock in confident mood ahead of Grand Slam of Darts

UNIBET EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 ETHIAS ARENA,HASSELT,BELGIUM PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG ROUND 1 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN V SIMON WHITLOCK SIMON WHITLOCK IN ACTION

SIMON WHITLOCK says he can be ‘better than ever’ as he prepares for the season finale and is aiming for a big run at the Grand Slam of Darts next week.

After a dip in form over the last couple of years, ‘The Wizard’ has rediscovered his magic in recent weeks and is looking to end the year with a glorious spell.

Since the beginning of October, Whitlock has won two Players Championship tournaments and enjoyed runs to the quarter-finals of both the World Grand Prix and World Series, where he was stopped by world number one Michael van Gerwen on each occasion.

In fact, van Gerwen is the only player to defeat Australia’s number one in televised events since August and Whitlock came closer than anyone to defeating the Dutchman when he missed a dart to beat him in the first round of the European Championship.

Whitlock believes that he has turned a corner and is set to peak at the perfect time of year.

“People keep asking me if I am back to being the old Simon Whitlock but I tell them I believe I am even better than that,” said the 2012 European Championship winner and former World Championship finalist.

“I changed a few things in order to improve and it meant that my form suffered but now the hard work I’ve put in is starting to pay off and I’m more confident than ever in my own ability.

“I’ve been playing well most of the year but my results haven’t always reflected that but now I’m starting to get some wins and it couldn’t come at a better time with three big ranking events coming up.”

Whitlock was referring to the Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals and the World Championship, with the first of the three taking place next week in Wolverhampton.

He has been pitted against world number five Peter Wright, young prospect Ted Evetts and Canadian BDO representative Jeff Smith in the group stage.

And Whitlock is determined to avoid an early vanishing act at this year’s event.

He said: “Last year I had to sit at home and watch the Grand Slam and it hurt me not to be there. The year before that I didn’t get through the group and in 2013 I lost in the last 16 in a match I should never have lost from the position was in.

“All that has made me more determined to do as well as possible this time around. I know I’m playing well, I’m confident and I’m dangerous. I can only take one game at a time but I think I can do better than I ever have before at the Grand Slam.”

Whitlock will begin his campaign against Evetts on Saturday afternoon.