Thursday 16 November 2017 08:32, UK
Michael van Gerwen feels his mid-season blip is long behind him as he continues his bid for a third consecutive Grand Slam of Darts title on Thursday.
The world No 1 won all three matches in the round-robin group stage to set up a second-round tie against Ireland's Steve Lennon, as he regains his form ahead of a busy stretch of the year.
Van Gerwen wasn't his usual dominant force as he suffered a quarter-final exit to Phil Taylor at the World Matchplay and suffered a shock first-round defeat to John Henderson in last month's World Grand Prix.
The Dutchman has since returned to the winner's circle at the European Championship and the World Series of Darts, with Van Gerwen keen to continue that run over the next few weeks ahead of the World Championship.
"In the World Matchplay I lost early and I lost early in the Grand Prix, but what can you do?" Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. "I'm not a robot, but you need to get to a robot now towards the worlds!
"It was a little slap in my face, but also that was the time I became a dad and just moved into a new house. It has been really busy but everything is sorted now, everything is good with my family and I'm practising hard.
"That [the World Championship] is the most important one. I have already won that one two times and now I want to be able to count to three!"
Van Gerwen heads to Minehead later this month to try and win the Players Championship for a third year in a row, before heading to Alexandra Palace next month aiming to defend his World Championship title.
"I want to win. I'm desperate to win every game against whoever it is, whenever it is, I need to make sure I'm always prepared to win," Van Gerwen added.
"People push you to another level now, like Rob Cross, like Daryl Gurney, like Gerwyn Price. You have to play well these days or otherwise you're not going to make it."
Watch the Grand Slam of Darts throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Second round coverage continues on Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event.
