"I think I'm proving my worth, why I believe I am a top-ten player": Nathan Aspinall has fire and hunger back...and six windows back in his car

Nathan Aspinall has taken down Ryan Joyce in one of the most polished performances of the World Grand Prix so far to reach the semi-finals, and he said that he was glad to put it all together.

Aspinall also summed up being written off and his car being smashed into as well as finally getting over a virus that he has had since the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.

"Obviously over the moon, great performance from start to finish," said Aspinall to Online Darts.

"I played really, really well on Wednesday and battled on Monday, and I kind of said in my interview on Wednesday night, if I put it all together, I'm going to be very, very tough to beat. My weakest part of my game is my doubling, and I know if I hit doubles, I'm one of the best players in the world, and I said that in my interview on Wednesday night, and I could prove it there that I am one of the best players in the world.

"When I start and when I finish on that double 16 with my scoring power that I possess, I'm one tough player to beat with the grit and determination, and it's not going to smoke up my arse, but sometimes you have to.

"But no, great performance, credit to Ryan Joyce; he battled and pushed me all the way, but I've had it a lot of times. To me, I was too strong for him tonight."

Aspinall at one point was threatening the one-match average of Gian van Veen, and he said that he was thinking about doing it, especially given that Littler has managed to mop up most of the records as of late.

"Yeah, you know what I did? I walked off, and I knew I was playing well. I think it was under an 11 in the first set, walked back out, it was under a nine, no, sorry, when I walked off it was under a nine, and I spoke to Dean, and I said, "What was his average?" and he didn't know off the top of his head, but he said, "I think you're beating it."

"So of course, you know, it's not often you can beat records, especially with Littler mopping up everything at the moment, but yeah, it was in the back of my mind, but you know, first and foremost, winning the game of darts, and I think the way that I composed myself at two-all to kick off the way that I did, to finish the match out like I did, very, very proud."

Aspinall has faced a lot of setbacks, with 'The Asp' admitting himself that his focus wasn't on the Oche and was on external factors. But he said that it is a matter of time, and he will show his great darts with part of it coming this week as he heads into the semi-finals in Leicester.

"I said it to you in Hyde Park, you know. I said it. I remember the interview. I'm like, 'Yeah, the last six months, obviously I've had a lot of pushbacks, the Premier League, the World Series, etc.'" I've not been focused on darts, and I said to you, "I promised to all my fans; once the wedding's done, I'll concentrate."

"I've literally had three days at home in six weeks. I've been playing a year or two; I think I should have won two out of the last three years or two, so I've missed my darts, but I know I'm playing well, and the people around me know I'm playing well.

"It's just a matter of time, and I'm a top-ten player, hands down, but you have to go on that stage; talk is cheap, and I think so far this week, I think I'm proving my worth, why I believe I am a top-ten player, and by the end of this week, hopefully I'll be even higher."

Asked by Darts World about his brilliant displays, he was delighted to be asked about his opening wins and said that is why he is so good in his opinion.

"I always get a written off, and the performance on Monday night was unbelievable, to come back from so far behind and be flat and have no motivation to battle and have that will to win. One of my best wins in my career, and I said it to so many people after the game, and then obviously the way that I beat Luke on Wednesday, that was just classic.

"I don't often blow smoke up my arse, but that was fantastic from start to finish. I just think this week I'm showing every aspect of my game, but everyone knows when it all clicks together, I'm very, very tough to beat, and that's why I've won two majors and two-time finalist of the Premier League. Yeah, I'm pretty good."

Aspinall had his car broken into earlier in the week, and he said that something is going on after he admitted to being really unwell in Amsterdam. "Yeah, obviously I've now got six windows back in my car, which is a bonus. After someone broke into my car, scumbags!

"But yeah, obviously a lot of us have had it. Ross Smith has been ill; I don't think Humphries has been too clever, and Littler's been struggling. I've had it for probably about two and a half weeks, and today was the first day where I've actually completely felt fresh. I've kept food down today. I don't know what it is; maybe it's the strain of Covid. I don't know. I don't want to start anything, but I don't know what's going on. But no, I feel great, really looking forward to it. Now tomorrow my girls are definitely coming.

"Unfortunately they couldn't get here tonight, but they're definitely coming tomorrow. That'll put a smile on my face tomorrow. Listen, if I play like that, someone's going to have to play real hard to beat me. Tomorrow's another day, but I think I can repeat that again and hopefully go on with this title."

Not having to face Luke Littler firmly made Aspinall actually happy, and he said he got a buzz out of it and that he is buzzing for his next game.

"I got a bit of a buzz when Woodhouse beat Luke, because he's been knocking me out of all the majors. That's the thing. People think I'm not playing well or I've not had a good year.

"You look at the tournaments I've lost in, and I'm losing to the best player that's probably ever thrown a dart. And I've been close to him, so I know I'm playing really well. You need a bit of luck in this game.

"So many players go. I'm playing really well, but I'm not winning. And I always say, just keep going; it will eventually change. And hopefully this week it's changed.

"The draw opened up for me. Michael got beat, and Danny Noppert got beat. I didn't expect to play Joyce in the quarter-finals, I'm honest with you.

"I didn't expect to play Woodhouse in round two. Draw's open; I remember the first time at the Worlds, and I made it all the way to the semi-final. The draw's open, but you have to take that opportunity to push yourself.

"Obviously I'm playing Johnny or Gezzy in the next game. Both are fantastic dart players, but they've seen that performance. I wouldn't say they're a bit worried, but they know how to step up.

"It's been a breath of fresh air this week. I'm dead happy that my game's in a good place, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow already."