Jonny Clayton insists Josh Rock ‘deserves the hype’ as they prepare to collide for a place in the Cazoo World Darts Championship quarter-finals on Thursday night.
The Welshman is bidding to reach the last eight at Alexandra Palace for the first time in his career, and he will take on World Youth Champion Rock in a stellar last 16 showdown.
Clayton has only dropped the solitary set in wins over Danny van Trijp and Brendan Dolan, averaging 99 in victory over the Dutch debutant, before battling past Dolan in a gruelling five-set affair.
Meanwhile, Rock has lived up to the billing on his World Championship bow, easing past Jose Justicia and Callan Rydz before denying two-time semi-finalist Nathan Aspinall to reach the last 16.
“Josh is a good kid. Everything about him is brilliant,” claimed Clayton, who was beaten by Michael Smith in a fourth round classic at Ally Pally 12 months ago.
“Josh is my kind of player. He is a rhythm player. He’s fantastic.
“I’m going to look forward to playing against him. We all know what’s he about, and that is my kind of game.”
Rock has generated major headlines following his emergence over the last 12 months, which has seen him post record-breaking averages on the ProTour and scoop his first senior PDC title.
The 21-year-old also landed a spectacular nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at November's Grand Slam of Darts, before celebrating World Youth Championship success in Minehead a month ago.
“I think he deserves the hype he gets,” said Clayton – a winner of six televised titles.
“He’s proven it on the dartboard and you’ve got to give credit to class, and he’s proven that he’s class.
“I’ve got a tough game on my hands, but I would love to go in as underdog. I play better as an underdog.”
However, Clayton offered a critical assessment of his third round win over Dolan, and believes he has to raise his game if he’s to end Rock’s fairy-tale run in the capital.
“Am I happy with how I’ve played? Probably not, but I know there is more in the tank,” added the world number seven.
“My first game against Danny was brilliant. I felt really good, but I found the game against Brendan difficult.
“It wasn’t me up there, and in the next round it has to be me. I need to put it right for my next game.”
In contrast, Rock heads into his clash against Clayton brimming with confidence following his 4-3 victory against Aspinall, a runner-up at this year’s World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
The Northern Irishman fired in 13 maximums to edge out Aspinall in a seven-set epic, taking out 141 and a tops-tops 99 finish in the latter stages to secure the biggest pay-day of his darting life.
“I played my own game. I finally played the game I know I can play, but that still wasn’t Josh Rock on that stage,” insisted the Antrim ace.
“At the age of 16 I didn’t believe I could be here playing on the World Championship stage, so I’m proud of what I am doing now.
“Of course I believe I can win. I don’t care if I’m fourth favourite to win it. I’ll try my best to win it.”
Thursday evening’s play will begin with the final third round tie at this year's World Championship, as fifth seed Luke Humphries takes on two-time quarter-finalist Vincent van der Voort.
World number one and 2021 World Champion Gerwyn Price then kicks off the last 16 action against comeback king Jose de Sousa, with Gabriel Clemens or Alan Soutar awaiting the winner.
2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship
Thursday December 29
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
1x Third Round, 2x Fourth Round
Luke Humphries v Vincent van der Voort (R3)
Gerwyn Price v Jose de Sousa (R4)
Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock (R4)