SIMON WHITLOCK says he is encouraged by some of his performances in the recent triple-header of World Series of Darts events, after returning from New Zealand and his native Australia.
The former European Champion lost in a deciding leg to fellow Australian Kyle Anderson in the quarter-finals of the Auckland Darts Masters, before watching Anderson go on to take the title.
Whitlock then beat Anderson in the first round of the Melbourne Darts Masters, before seeing off James Wade to reach the semi-finals.
There, he lost out to eventual winner Phil Taylor.
A week later in Perth, ‘The Wizard’ won his opener before losing out to Gary Anderson, who also went on to take the title.
Whitlock said: “I played some good darts in some matches but was disappointed I couldn’t put a run together and win one of the events.
“I lost to the eventual champion in all three so I came up against players that were in form and I was especially pleased to beat Kyle Anderson in Melbourne as his confidence would’ve been sky high after his fantastic win in New Zealand – that was the toughest possible first round draw.
“I also had a great comeback against James Wade in the tournament and missed vital chances against Phil Taylor. Overall, I’ve shown signs of the form I know is coming and I think I will have a great final third of the season.”
Whitlock returns to action at the Dutch Darts Masters next weekend.