Slam return for duo

Nicholson: Back in Grand Slam

The reaction they had a couple of years ago spoke for itself but hopefully this time around because they know me a little bit better. and it won't be as hostile - but I'll still probably get the 'who are ya?' because it's part of what happens when I walk on now, with a little bit of a smile.

Paul Nicholson
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Paul Nicholson is relishing a return to the Grand Slam of Darts later this month, where he will no doubt play the pantomime villain again, while in-form Wes Newton is also relieved to be back involved in Wolverhampton.

Both men took part in the 2008 Grand Slam, but missed out on last year's event when failing to qualify, but both are back involved in the action this time around.

Nicholson ensured his place in this year's Grand Slam of Darts when he won January's Players Championship Finals, while Newton was one of the four ITV Wildcard Qualifiers last Friday.

The 2008 Grand Slam saw Nicholson - then the Australian number one - make his debut in a televised event, and he had an immediate impact with both a victory over Gary Anderson and his appearance, sporting sunglasses to a Metallica walk-on.

"It's been an ambition of mine to get back on that stage and in front of the Wolverhampton crowd since I qualified back in January," said Nicholson.

Hostile

"I got a hostile reception there last time because it was my debut and they didn't really know what I was about, but hopefully this time they do know a little bit more about me.

"The reaction they had a couple of years ago spoke for itself but hopefully this time around because they know me a little bit better. and it won't be as hostile - but I'll still probably get the 'who are ya?' because it's part of what happens when I walk on now, with a little bit of a smile.

"I'm going to go into this tournament with a lot of aggression though, because I haven't had the best six months. But things are changing for me and going in a positive direction."

Whilst Nicholson has struggled to repeat the form which took him to glory in Purfleet in January in recent months, Wes Newton has enjoyed his best year to date on the professional circuit.

Having won a second Players Championship earlier this year, he followed up Friday's qualification for the Grand Slam of Darts with back-to-back Players Championship wins in Barnsley in moving to a career-high 15th in the world rankings.

Form

"I've been doing it for six or seven years and I said to myself at the start of this year that I need to start pushing myself a bit more and take the next step," said Newton.

"I was always in and around the top 32 and heading towards the early 20s but I needed to move on.

"I think I'm starting to do that now and if I can get a good run on TV in the Grand Slam of Darts then I can push on from here.

"Two years ago I won my first two games in the group but lost my last one and got knocked out, which shows that you can't relax at any stage. It really hurt at the time, but it's in your own hands to go out and win every game."

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