AUSTRALIAN contender Kyle Anderson is aiming to continue his emergence at darts' highest level in his debut at the BetVictor World Matchplay on Sunday night.
Anderson has secured his place in the 32-player field for the prestigious World Matchplay by virtue of his performances over the past year - despite only joining the PDC circuit full-time in 2014 when he relocated to the UK from Perth.
He secured his place in the World Matchplay via the ProTour Order of Merit after reaching a Players Championship quarter-final a fortnight ago, jumping himself above former World Champion Mark Webster into the qualifying spots.
Although he has previously competed in the World Championship and UK Open - which boast larger fields - Anderson admits that establishing his status amongst the sport's 32 'form' players is a landmark moment.
"To qualify for the World Matchplay is an achievement in itself and significant for me," said Anderson. "When I think about it, it shows that I'm getting somewhere in the game if I've made it to the World Matchplay.
"There are guys who've been playing for years who haven't qualified for the World Matchplay, and I've come across and made some waves in the last 18 months and got into it.
"I'm so proud to be in the tournament and I want to have a good showing in Blackpool - after all the hard work that's gone into getting there you don't want to get on stage and flop.
"I want to get up there and play well and hopefully I can get through the first round and go from there."
Anderson's first round opponent James Wade has a World Matchplay record which is second-only to reigning champion Phil Taylor, having won the 2007 event and reached four other finals in Blackpool.
The 27-year-old, though, is unfazed by the challenge of facing the world number six in his opener, adding: "I'm quite calm and confident. My form's been good on the tour and I'm looking forward to the challenge against James on Sunday.
"I've played James on the tour but I've not played him on TV yet. He's a great player who's won the World Matchplay before, but if I think about it like that then I'm just going to put pressure on myself so I've got to look at it like another game and that he's just another player.
"That's no disrespect to James because he's an awesome player who's been around for a while and reached the heights that we all want to get to, but on Sunday night he's just my opponent."
Anderson was a semi-finalist in last year's Sydney Darts Masters and won through to the last 16 of the UK Open in March, having also competed in the past three World Championships at Alexandra Palace.
"All the previous TV events have been good experience for me and they help build you up to where I feel comfortable with my game at the moment," he said.
"I've played in three World Championships now, had a good showing in the UK Open in March and to be honest it was reaching the semi-finals of the Sydney Masters last year which set it off.
"It's a matter of getting onto the Blackpool stage this weekend and making sure everything's right for me."
Anderson's move to the UK has meant spending time away from his partner and young son, who have remained in Perth, and he is hoping to reward their support with silverware in the near future.
"I think that when I win something is when I feel that the sacrifices I make - being based in England with my family back home - have paid off, because you can't get back taking time away from your son and family," he admits.
"It's getting to a point where it's starting to work - but I've still got a long way to go. I've always been comfortable playing amongst these top names and played through my nerves and enjoyed every moment of it.
"I knew I could play well but now my game is starting to come together and gel, and it's just a matter of time before I hopefully get into the top 32 and get closer and closer to the big titles."
Sunday's clash with Wade will be Anderson's first taste in person of the famous Winter Gardens venue in Blackpool.
"People have told me about the venue and I'm excited about getting there," he said. "To be honest I've not seen too much of the World Matchplay on TV before because it's usually on in Perth in the middle of the night!
"Last year I'd gone back home and was having some time with my family and friends, and with a young boy at home I can't really get up out of bed without him knowing!"
Anderson's family, though, will be getting up early on Monday morning - Australian time - to follow his progress live on Fox Sports.
"I always tell my family and friends what time I'll be on and people contact me on Facebook too so I know there are people watching back home," he said.
"The times work quite well for me because I'm on last on Sunday night which is Monday morning back home in Australia, so it's a watchable time for people - I hope I can give them something to cheer about."