Wizard getting stronger

Australian hoping to find best form after settling in to tournament

Last updated: 4th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wizard getting stronger

Whitlock: Finding form

I'm getting more confidence too, especially after Belfast. My finishing was great but I know I can score better so I'll try and work on that.

Simon Whitlock
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Simon Whitlock says he will finally find his best form in week four of the Premier League in Exeter on Thursday, after taking time to adjust to the competition.

The Australian is making his debut in the Premier League after being given a wildcard in reward for his sparkling run to the final of the World Championship.

'The Wizard' had no magic on his debut in London, as he lost his rematch with Phil Taylor 8-3, but he put that result down to jet leg as well as finding his feet in a new competition.

A draw with Terry Jenkins was followed by a fine win over Raymond van Barneveld, where Whitlock hit eight out of nine shots at double in the most clinical performance ever seen in the tournament.

Whitlock faces Ronnie Baxter when the Premier League Darts visits the Westpoint Arena on Thursday, and he now feels fully acclimatised and ready to find his top form.

Dream

"It was a dream come true having such a fantastic run in the World Championship and then getting invited to play in the Premier League," said Whitlock.

"I didn't do myself justice in the first week but I'd only arrived in the UK a couple of days beforehand so I was a bit jet-lagged, and I've had a problem with my heel for six weeks or so.

"But the more weeks I get under my belt, the better I seem to be playing. My form's coming back now, which is good for me.

"Everything works together in terms of playing in the Premier League and also on weekends in the PDC's ProTour events, and the more I play the better I seem to get.

"I'm getting more confidence too, especially after Belfast. My finishing was great but I know I can score better so I'll try and work on that.

"I played well early on but start getting nervous when Raymond came back, he nearly hit a nine-darter and I was glad to get the win in the end. Hopefully I can make it easier on myself against Terry."

Whitlock's clash with Jenkins is one of four on the night in Exeter, with reigning champion James Wade opening up against Adrian Lewis, Mervyn King playing Jenkins and Taylor meeting long-term rival van Barneveld.