Gerwyn Price believes his best is yet to come, as he prepares to resume his Paddy Power World Darts Championship campaign against Brendan Dolan on Thursday evening.
Price swept aside Connor Scutt in emphatic style to open his challenge for a second World Championship crown on December 18, relinquishing just two legs on his way to a straight-sets victory.
The Welshman won the opening six legs without reply, and although Scutt threatened to halve the deficit, Price sealed his progression with a superb 12-dart break in a third set decider.
“It was a decent performance, but there is still plenty more in the tank,” insisted 2021 champion Price, speaking after his victory over debutant Scutt.
“I know I’m playing really well, it’s just that people have been playing really well against me.
“I started off really well and hitting that 180 in the first leg got the jitters out of the way.
“Connor didn’t play his A-game, but I don’t mind that! I’m happy to get through and enjoy Christmas and hopefully I will come back a little bit better and more refreshed."
The world number five returns to Alexandra Palace as the third favourite to lift the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy, although he insists he won’t be underestimating anybody in his path.
However, the 38-year-old knows what it takes to go all the way at this event, having defeated Scottish legend Gary Anderson to triumph on the famous Alexandra Palace stage just three years ago.
The Markham man will be hoping to replicate those exploits this time around, which would add to what has already been a successful 2023 season.
“It’s been a good year for me, even though I haven’t won a big major, [title]” reflected Price, who steered Wales to a second World Cup title alongside Jonny Clayton back in June.
“The World Cup win was great. I lost in the Premier League final, I lost in the World Grand Prix final, and I lost in the Grand Slam to Gary [Anderson], who played really well."
Price will now play 2019 quarter-finalist Dolan for a place in the last 16, after the Northern Irish veteran edged out his former World Cup partner Mickey Mansell in a marathon 78-minute contest in round two.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Price defeated Dolan in a sudden-death leg on his way to lifting the sport’s holy grail, and he will be hoping that acts as a positive omen this year.
“What better way to end the year than by picking up the biggest one of all?” added Wales’ premier player, who will look back fondly on his 2023 season.
“If I go and win this title, I would have been in three major finals, which is a great achievement, but I think Luke [Humphries] is the man to beat.
“He has won three of the last four majors. He’s been playing fantastic, so if he wasn’t the [pre-tournament] favourite, I think there is something wrong!
“I think when people are talking about you all the time there’s that added pressure, so sometimes it’s better to go under the radar.”
2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Thursday December 28
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Gerwyn Price v Brendan Dolan (R3)
Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko (R3)
Ricky Evans v Daryl Gurney (R3)