SIMON WHITLOCK believes that his brilliant run to the final of last week’s World Grand Prix is the beginning of his return to former glories.
Former European Championship winner Whitlock had not reached a major-final since 2013 before his gutsy performances in Dublin saw him set up a decider with Daryl Gurney.
Despite his deciding set defeat in a thrilling contest, ‘The Wizard’ is determined to continue the progress which has also seen him win five PDC ProTour titles in the last 12 months.
“I’m very happy to have been in a final again but this is just the start of me being a strong force in big events again,” said the Australian number one, who has risen to 12th the world rankings.
“Of course I’m disappointed not to have won but I’m getting back to where I belong and I believe I can be better than I’ve ever been.
“I’m hungrier than ever because I’ve tasted what it is like to be in the Premier League, be in big finals and win titles and that is where I want to be again.”
Whitlock’s run to his first World Grand Prix final began with a dramatic first round victory against Christian Kist, where he survived a match dart before taking out a fabulous 108 checkout to progress.
He went on to dominate his next two matches, claiming straight sets wins against Richard North and Benito van de Pas to reach the semi-finals.
There, he conquered an in-form Mensur Suljovic 4-3 to move through to the decider.
Whitlock took the first two sets but his Northern Irish opponent won three successive sets to take the lead.
A superb 98 finish saw Whitlock take the deciding leg in the sixth set, before taking the seventh to move within one set of glory.
But it wasn’t to be for the Aussie ace as Gurney forced and won a ninth and decisive set, defying an incredible 13 180s in the match from Whitlock, who also secured a place in next month’s Grand Slam of Darts as a result of reaching the final.