Adrian Lewis is aiming to continue his resurgence in the second half of 2020 following an encouraging Betfred World Matchplay.
Lewis returned to big-stage action with a run to the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay, defeating Steve Beaton and Danny Noppert before losing out to eventual champion Dimitri Van den Bergh 16-12.
The two-time World Champion had been threatened with losing his spot in the world's top 16, but Lewis is now setting his sights on a return to the top ten in due course.
"I've got expectations," said Lewis. "I want to maintain my form and then try to climb up as high as I can coming into the World Championship.
"It's all about confidence. I've always said that 95% is in your head because if your head's not right you don't seem to perform. Little things can deter you from your full 100% performance. It is a mental game and you've got to be in the right place mentally.
"I'm trying to start again really, forget all the scars you've had over the years by getting beaten and put everything to the back of your mind and focus on what's upcoming really."
Lewis had undertaken a fitness regime during the lockdown period, and believes that combining a more healthy lifestyle with competitive action will continue to benefit him.
"I've got to look at the positives and my throw is back," added the 35-year-old. "It feels a lot more smooth and not as jerky, which is going to play a big part for the rest of the season.
"When you're practising on your own during lockdown, you're not playing any competitions so it was always going to be tough coming straight back into it after four months off, but I've done well and I can't complain with how I played."
Lewis admitted that he had been fearing for his spot in the world's top 16 ahead of the World Matchplay after struggling during the PDC Summer Series, but is now looking up, rather than down.
"It wasn't so much a worry but the only time I started thinking about it was before the World Matchplay because I was playing so poorly and I thought that this could be my last Matchplay if I don't qualify again for next year's," he admitted.
"But I'm looking at it in a whole different way now, and I want to push on again. My form's good and everything else is good, so I've just got to move forward.
"You've got to do the damage in these tournaments, the TV tournaments and the ranking events, where you can pick up the most money.
"If you win a couple of floor tournaments it doesn't really affect your ranking as such. Fortunately for me I made a quarter-final this time and who's to say I can't go further."
GET INVOLVED!
The Betfred World Matchplay programme can be purchased now for just £3 plus shipping - order now from Curtis Sport at this link!
Buy an official Betfred World Matchplay event t-shirt through PDC Merchandise at this link.