Nathan Aspinall is in defiant mood as he targets a maiden World Grand Prix title this week.
The Asp overcame a topsy-turvy clash with Kevin Doets in round one in Leicester before a more routine victory over Luke Woodhouse on Wednesday evening. That teed up a last-eight match against Ryan Joyce in the unique double-in, double-out tournament.
Aspinall, a runner-up in this event in 2022, was happy with his win over Woodhouse – who toppled defending champion Luke Littler in round one – and now has his sights set on another major title to go with his World Matchplay and UK Open successes.
“96 has to be the highest average I’ve ever had here by a mile,” said the 35-year-old. “It feels great, obviously the conditions were really tough. Me and Luke spoke at the break, it was so warm out there tonight but I composed myself really well. I was trying to clutch onto how I finished my previous game against Kevin.
“My composure in taking out those big pressure moments at crucial times was amazing and got me through the game and I think tonight was the same. I’ve been doing my breathing work that I’ve been working on with my sport psychologist and it’s paid dividends tonight.
“I said driving up on Monday night that I thought Littler was going to get beat. He doesn’t care about tournaments, he’s won them all. He was playing for this record. He got beat in Amsterdam and I didn’t think he’d be as focussed and Luke (Woodhouse) won. Luke is a fantastic darts player and he’s had a fantastic year so I wasn’t too shocked to see the result.
“To win a darts tournament they say you need a bit of luck and I think I got that in the first round with Kevin missing those match darts. I put a great show on tonight. Ryan Joyce is a good mate of mine, he’s unreal on his double 16 but he can’t score like me and he knows that and if I score like I did tonight, he won’t beat me and it’s as simple as that.
“I fancy myself to make it to the semis and I think then, it’s a toss of a hat.”
Latest odds for World Grand Prix
- Gerwyn Price – 5/2
- Luke Humphries – 11/4
- Nathan Aspinall – 6/1
- Jonny Clayton – 7/1
- Gian Van Veen – 9/1
- James Wade – 11/1
- Gary Anderson – 12/1
- Ryan Joyce – 25/1
- Stephen Bunting – 28/1
- BAR – 40/1
Thursday’s match odds
- Niels Zonneveld (9/5) v Gary Anderson 2/5)
- James Wade (4/7) v Stephen Bunting (13/10)
- Luke Humphries (1/3) v Jermaine Wattimena (11/5)
- Gian van Veen (8/15) v Ryan Searle (29/20)
Odds provided by BOYLE Sports.
