MICHAEL SMITH is aiming to continue his progression after reaching a career-high eighth on the PDC Order of Merit following his European Darts Trophy triumph in Muelheim.
The former World Youth Champion had broken into the world's top 16 earlier this year, but his second European Tour victory of 2015 saw him continue his climb into the world's elite.
Although he has only reached one major quarter-final so far in his career, Smith is now aiming to replicate the form which he showed in Germany in the year's remaining televised events.
"At the beginning of my year my target was the top eight and I'm in there now, so [my next aim is] top six, top five, maybe top four and the Premier League," said Smith.
"My main focus now is the TV tournaments and to play well and have big runs in them. I've shown that I can win on stage and on the floor and it's just in front of the TV cameras now."
Smith's win in Germany was capped with his stunning 6-2 win over world number one Michael van Gerwen, who twice set up a possible nine-dart finish in the early stages and was averaging 117 as he found himself 4-0 down after his rival took out 122 and a brace of 109 checkouts.
The St Helens ace went on to complete victory, and admitted that he was delighted to return from the summer break in strong form.
"I'm pretty happy with my game," added Smith. "You have to take the checkouts against Michael and that was the main thing.
"In the first four legs he was on for a nine-darter twice and I managed to take the two 109s to take those legs."
Alongside his rise up to eighth in the world, Smith also wrote his name into the record books as only the second player to win more than one European Tour event in a calendar year, alongside van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen had won two events in 2013 and has already won four so far this year, with Smith also taking victory in Germany in June at the International Darts Open.
Click here to see the latest PDC Order of Merit
On The Wire - Michael Smith Video Interview