WAYNE MARDLE admits he has 'a lot of work to do' if he is to rival in-form stars Phil Taylor and James Wade for major honours.
Mardle fell victim to a Wade super-show in the semi-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay last week, with the 25-year-old hitting 12 180s and averaging almost 103 in taking a 17-5 victory.
Essex star Mardle believes that Wade and Phil Taylor, who met in the final of a third major event this year in the Blackpool decider, are deserving to dominate the sport at present.
"Phil and James are setting a new standard," said Mardle.
"We all try to keep up and I've beaten James more times than he has beaten me, believe it or not, but in the semi-final it got to the point where if I hit a 140 at a good time he would come back with something slightly better to put me back in my place.
"I wasn't good enough and if I do want to win a major I've got some practising to do!"
Mardle never recovered from Wade powering into a 7-0 lead in their clash, despite taking out finishes of 145 and 135 in battling back.
"He kicked off the first three of four legs brilliantly," added Mardle. "I never got much better than I started off, and he did.
"At one point he was unplayable and when someone plays like that against you all you can do is hold your hand up and say sometimes you're not good enough."
Mardle has reached three major finals so far in his career without touching silverware, but believes that he can build on his displays in the World Matchplay, having defeated Mark Dudbridge, Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld to make the semi-finals.
"I reached a semi-final after beating, in my opinion, three very good players and maybe the first major title is around the corner," he added.
"But if it is, I've got a lot of work to do after seeing what James and Phil did."