Tuesday 3 October 2017 12:57, UK
Home favourite Daryl Gurney has said he is determined to go all the way at the Grand Prix in Dublin and reward the crowd which has fervently supported him to date.
The Northern Irishman kicked off his tournament with a superb 2-1 victory over world No 4 Adrian Lewis to the delight of the Dublin crowd, and was in confident mood when interviewed afterwards.
"It's unbelievable, especially after the weekend I had in the ProTour, losing both days at the first round," Gurney told Sky Sports.
"I just said to myself that the only good thing that can happen out of it is that I'm fresh now for the Grand Prix, and the atmosphere in here is unbelievable.
"If you want to come out here and support me every night I'm going to give myself, work 110 per cent and make sure I try and please this crowd and we'll try and go all the way!"
Gurney has yet to win a PDC premier event since joining in 2013, with the semi-final stage his career best so far.
In 2017, the 31-year-old has been knocking on the door of success though, making the semi-finals of the World Matchplay, UK Open and Players Championship Finals.
His best run at the Grand Prix came last year in 2016 when he made the quarter-finals, but his victory over Lewis in the first round this year brought back memories of his debut in the competition in 2014 when he lost out to Jackpot, and how he has matured in the three years since.
"To be honest before the game started and whenever I played Adrian (Lewis), like a couple of years ago, I was always nervous," Gurney added.
"Even tonight going into the deciding leg, it was a good game for me and when I missed the 170 and two darts at double-eight, I thought to myself, well I'm playing better now than I was back then so it's up to me if I want to miss doubles to lose this game.
"Eventually I got over the line anyway so I'm best pleased.
"I always look at the next game, I'll always be grounded and my next game now is Joe Cullen and I beat him here before in a nine-dart challenge with big massive darts so I hope he remembers that one!"
The biggest names in darts are competing at Dublin's Citywest Hotel for the 2017 World Grand Prix and you can watch all the action with us only on Sky Sports.
Who will win the World Grand Prix at Dublin's Citywest Hotel this year? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting @SkySportsDarts or by using the comments box below - sign in with Facebook. Follow us on Twitter & use #LoveTheDarts
