Don't look now, but Gary Anderson is back in form.
The two-time PDC world champion has struggled with a mix of injury and loss of form over the last couple of years, but the Scotsman found threw his best darts in quite some time earlier today.
He would emerge as 5-1 winner over Dirk van Duijvenbode in the World Championship quarter-final, finishing the game with a three-dart average of 101. It is a stark change in fortunes for Anderson who has been plagued by knee troubles that have affected his game.
It seems this change may have been sparked by his opponents.
Anderson has complained on a couple of occasions in recent times about the conduct of his opponents on-stage, most recently with the slow play and gamesmanship of Mensur Suljovic.
After this afternoon's victory, he confirmed that the tactics of his opponents have given him that extra bit of motivation to return to his best ahead of a semi-final matchup against Michael van Gerwen or Dave Chisnall.
"I've got to thank the boys for riling me up. I've upset a few people."
A fired-up @GaryAnderson180 reacts to reaching the Semi-Finals 🏴🗣️ #WHDarts
Click below for full interview 👇— Live Darts (@livedarts) January 1, 2021
I did have a chance to win three back-to-back, but that Dutch fella (Michael van Gerwen) beat me, I can't really remember what his name was!
I've said it, and said it, and said it; I just want to play darts. I've got to thank the boys for riling me up.
You know how they always say I needed to be riled up? I think they've riled me up now...
I used to get myself worked up and play better. The last two years there was nothing. If I can upset a few people, I'm going to try, aren't I...
I do giggle to myself. I've come here with no confidence, game all over the place, still not 100 per cent right, throwing silly numbers.
Like I said, I'm getting there. I've had a wee gee up the backside and I'm going to start knocking on the door now again.
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