JAMES WADE admits that the disappointment of missing out on the 2006 Las Vegas Desert Classic helped fired his ambition going into the Stan James World Matchplay.
The 23-year-old from Aldershot has reached his first major semi-final at the Winter Gardens with three superb wins over Denis Ovens, Kevin Painter and Chris Mason.
Wade only became a full-time professional earlier in July after quitting his job as a mechanic following his failure to qualify for the Las Vegas Desert Classic.
He is reaping the rewards after guaranteeing himself a £10,000 paycheck - the biggest of his career - by reaching the last four at the Winter Gardens.
"I was annoyed with keeping losing silly games and made the decision to become full-time after Las Vegas," he said.
"I know how good I am; everyone can be phenomenal on their day but I know I've got a regular, consistent game that I know is probably better than most people's.
"I've been told that with the way I'm playing I could go a bit further, so we'll see how it goes and I'll enjoy it.
"I can improve but it's getting it out of me.
"This is the first major tournament it has come out of me and now it feels like it's easier to get the performance and I'm not nervous up there.
"I'm not a confident and comfortable person but something feels different up there.
"I've put the work in but it's been coming for a long time and now it's here I want to maintain it and play better than I have been.
"I know I've got it in me, and it's not quite there yet. If I can play my best game up there, people will be impressed."
He will meet Roland Scholten in Friday night's semi-finals, and added: "I hope I play better.
"I threw like I normally do (on the PDC circuit) but I've never done it on TV before.
"I'm just pleased I'm in the semi-finals, you can't wish for much more than that. I'm just taking each game as it comes and we'll see how it goes."