Simon Whitlock is travelling to Germany for the World Cup of Darts with every intention of claiming his first major title.

The Wizard will team up with Paul Nicholson to represent Australia in Hamburg. The pair reached the semi-finals in 2010 and Whitlock believes that they have what it takes to go even further this weekend.

He said: “Hopefully we won’t go just one better than last time, but two. We want to win it and that’s what we are aiming for. Paul has been playing consistently well for a while now. He is a great player. I like playing in pairs tournaments, having played a lot of them back home. If anything it’s less pressure because it’s not all down to one person. My form is picking up nicely too, so I’m sure we can go all the way.”

The world number five refused to let a broken ankle prevent him from reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship and is happy to be on the mend.

He said: “My leg is getting better slowly; everything is starting feel more comfortable. It did ache a little bit after playing in Benidorm last weekend but it’s nowhere near as bad as it was in December. I got through that quite well though so I’m not worried about that anymore, I know I can go up there and play well despite my injury.”

Australia are seeded second for the tournament behind an England team consisting of the two highest ranked players in the world, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. The Wizard would be happy to take them on in an ‘Ashes’ style showdown in the final.

He said: “It would be nice if it pans out that way, as long as we beat them but there are a lot of good teams and anything can happen in a knockout format. I’m very proud to pull on the Australian shirt and represent my country and I’ll be giving everything I’ve got against whoever we play.”

Whitlock hopes that a good performance in Hamburg, followed by a winning start in the Premier League next week will be the catalyst for a fantastic year ahead.

He added: “I want to win a major this year, hopefully that will happen this weekend. I also want to win a few floor tournaments and do well in the Premier League. I didn’t do too bad last year but I lost in a lot of semi-finals. I need to make more finals in 2012 and win some tournaments. I’m delighted to have been selected to play in the Premier League again. It means everything to me and I’m really looking forward to the season.”

By Chris Murphy

World famous darts player Simon Whitlock cast a spell over hundreds of Leyland staff this week as the colourful paint brand launched its sponsorship of ‘The Wizard’ in typically eye-catching style.

Catch the action with this video

Photos Courtesy of Lawrence Lustig@PDC

Simon Whitlock remains on course to be crowned World Champion after another sensational display saw him demolish bookies favourite Gary Anderson in the quarter finals.

The Wizard provided a master class in finishing to see off The Premier League winner, posting an impressive 42 percent success rate on his doubles. He reeled off five consecutive sets to set up a semi-final showdown with Andy Hamilton.

Anderson held his throw in the opening leg before Whitlock hit double top to do the same. The Flying Scotsman then produced a 151 finish to prevent Whitlock from snatching an early break of throw. It was Anderson who grabbed the first break of throw in the very next leg, as he hit double five to go a set in front.

The Wizard hit double 18 to take the lead in set two. He then slotted in his first 180 to put pressure on the Anderson throw, and he made it count by producing a stunning 121 finish on the bullseye. The Scotsman broke back and then held his throw to level the set before Whitlock struck back, hitting double four to leave the match tied at a set each.

Whitlock hit another maximum against the throw but was unable to get the break, as Anderson hit double one to edge in front. The Australian replied with his third 180 and went on to hit double top to hold his own throw. He then made his opponent pay for missed doubles with a ruthless two dart finish, taking out 74 against the throw to take the lead. The Wizard hit double eight to win the set and go ahead in the match for the first time.

Whitlock continued his charge, opening the first leg of the fourth set with back to back maximums, eventually hitting double one to hold his throw. The world number five then broke the Scotsman’s throw, but Anderson broke back straight away before holding to level the set. The Wizard conjured up his sixth 180 in response, going on to open up a two set advantage by hitting double seven.

The 2010 runner-up hit another maximum against the throw and took out 58 to win the first leg of set five. Whitlock produced another clinical checkout, this time 81, to move closer to claiming another set. He wrapped it up straight away by breaking throw again to increase his lead to four sets to one.

Anderson managed to break the throw in the first leg of the sixth set, and he hit tops to double his lead. The Wizard responded with a fantastic fourteen dart leg, before firing in another 180 on his way to another break of throw to leave himself throwing for the match. Whitlock almost won the match in superb style but just missed the bull for a 95 checkout, but he cleaned up the 25 to book his place in the semi-finals after another relentless performance.

Whitlock will play Hamilton on News Years Day for a place in the final.

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock believes things are coming together nicely in his pursuit of the Ladbrokes World Championship title, after another brilliant performance saw him progress to quarter-finals.

The Wizard cruised through the first two rounds, despite trying to recover from a broken ankle, but it wasn’t all plain sailing in his victory over Michael van Gerwen.

Whitlock said: “I feel pretty good about my overall performance but I was lucky to go three nil up. Michael played brilliantly to come back and I had to hit some big shots to win the match.”

The world number five hammered in twelve 180’s and posted another quality success rate on his doubles to book his place in the last eight, but the ‘beard to be feared’ is not feeling the pressure of being the tournament’s star player.

He said: “I don’t really feel like there is any pressure on me because of my injury, even though I don’t feel it when I’m playing. I felt like a came alive in that game. In the first round I was sort of just playing from memory and posted a really good average, but I didn’t feel like I was there. I felt a bit better in the next match and I’m playing some really good darts now.”

Whitlock set up a potential quarter-final showdown with tournament favourite Gary Anderson, but insists it doesn’t matter who he plays. He said: “I just go up there and play the board and, if I play like I can, I know I can win. I’m feeling good and playing well and looking forward to another good game.”

The Australian was runner-up at the Ally Pally two years ago and believes he has what it takes to go one better this time round. He said: “There are a few things I can improve but I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing. I’ll just take each game as it comes but I’m here to win it and there is no Phil Taylor to stop me this time.”

Whitlock will play his quarter-final tie in the first match of the Friday evening session.

By Chris Murphy