Nathan Aspinall believes he’s rediscovered his spark ahead of his second round clash against Ryan Joyce at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix on Wednesday.
Aspinall will play Joyce for a place in the quarter-finals of the double-start showpiece tonight, having won through a thrilling clash against Ryan Searle on Monday’s opening night.
The Stockport star was making his first televised appearance since July against Searle, having undergone treatment on a wrist injury following his second round exit at the World Matchplay.
However, Aspinall enjoyed a winning return in Leicester, averaging 107 in the third and decisive set, and sealing his progress with a 12-dart break in a breathless last-leg decider.
“It was my first game back on TV since my injury, so that meant a lot to me,” admitted Aspinall, a World Grand Prix runner-up in 2022.
“I’m just so happy to win after everything I’ve been through over the last few months.
“That game is what I needed. Since I’ve come back over the last three weeks, I’ve either won comfortably or lost without playing well.
“The pressure in that last leg was immense, but I think I showed my class and my fighting spirit at the end there.
“I’m buzzing. I’m fully fit, I’m feeling healthy and hopefully now I can kick on and do what I know I’m capable of.”
Aspinall received a terrific ovation at the Mattioli Arena on Monday night, and he paid tribute to his legion of fans for their support throughout a testing period.
“The crowd were amazing,” added the 33-year-old, who will play Rob Cross or Martin Schindler if he overcomes Joyce.
“They tried to get Mr Brightside going on a number of occasions, and that is why I play this game.
“There have been times when I’ve been off over the last three months and you question: ‘Is it worth putting myself through this?’
“Yeah it is, for that reason. The reception I got was unbelievable.
“Hopefully that will win kick-start my career. I needed something to give me that spark that I got against Ryan, and I can’t wait to go through that again on Wednesday.”
Reigning champion Luke Humphries will headline Wednesday evening’s action, as the world number one continues his title defence against Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko.
Cross and Schindler also go head-to-head for a quarter-final berth, while 2021 champion Jonny Clayton plays former European Champion Ross Smith in the evening’s finale.
The tournament is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Wednesday October 9 (1900 BST)
4x Second Round matches
Nathan Aspinall v Ryan Joyce
Rob Cross v Martin Schindler
Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko
Jonny Clayton v Ross Smith
Best of Five Sets