SIMON WHITLOCK believes he will have to maintain his superb form to win an 888.com Premier League Darts play-off place.
The Australian has won his last three games in the Premier League and jumped into the top four last week courtesy of a brilliant 8-5 win over Raymond van Barneveld.
Whitlock hit eight 180s - the most by any player this season - and averaged almost 108 in his best performance in the tournament.
"That was close to my best and I'm over the moon to play that well," said Whitlock.
"Raymond smashed me up last time with his finishing and I had to turn it around. I concentrated and hardly watched Raymond throw, and I went out there to do a job and I did it.
"I missed a few doubles which brought my average down - I'm trying to think what it would have been if I hadn't have missed doubles!"
Whitlock plays 2009 champion James Wade at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield in the tenth of 14 league games, as he aims to compete in a second successive Premier League play-offs next month.
"I played so well against Raymond but I knew I had to play well to get into the top four and I was out for a victory," said Whitlock.
"The table's so tight that anybody can still make the top four, and I've got to go up there and try and win every week. I put plenty of practice in ahead of it, and it's paying off."
Tickets for Thursday's 888.com Premier League Darts are still available by calling 0114 256 5656 or visiting www.motorpointarena.co.uk.
888.com Premier League Darts
Week Ten - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
James Wade v Simon Whitlock
Mark Webster v Gary Anderson
Terry Jenkins v Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Tickets: 0114 256 5656 or www.motorpointarena.co.uk
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