Simon Whitlock is confident his first victory of the Premier League season can be a catalyst for a charge up the table as he prepares to continue his qualification quest in Nottingham.
Waterlooville-based Whitlock showed great determination to fight back from 5-3 down against Robert Thornton in Exeter last week to register his first points of the campaign.
That victory has given the Australian a massive boost in confidence and genuine hope he can avoid elimination at the end of nine weeks.
“Winning last week was huge for me and I was quite emotional afterwards,” said Whitlock, the world number four.
“I’ve had a few health issues in the last month but I will always battle hard and that was the key to beating Robert last week.
“I hit seven doubles out of seven which is awesome and it’s given me plenty of confidence for the rest of the season. Now I have to build on it.”
Whitlock faces a major test in Nottingham when he takes on current Premier League leader Peter Wright, who made his big breakthrough by reaching last year’s World Championship Final.
“I know all about Peter and what he is capable of because he beat me in the semi-finals of the World Championships,” reflected Whitlock.
“He’s probably the most improved player on the circuit and I’m going to have to be at my very best to beat him.
“But I know on my day I’m capable of getting a result against anybody.”
Article courtesy of Simon Whitlock’s sponsor Leyland Paints.
Leyland Paints was founded in 1922 and has a long and distinguished history as a manufacturer and supplier of decorative paints, particularly targeted at tradesmen.