“I will definitely be looking to put that right” - Joe Cullen has a score to settle with Nathan Aspinall at World Matchplay

Joe Cullen faces a familiar opponent in the opening round of the World Matchplay. The Englishman takes on Nathan Aspinall, a player he knows well from the circuit and counts among his closest friends away from the oche. For Cullen, that makes the encounter extra special, although he realises the years are ticking by and the big moments in his career carry ever more weight.

Alongside Aspinall and Luke Humphries, Cullen recently spent time on holiday. Those shared moments have only strengthened the bond between the players. Still, there will be little room for friendship during their clash in Blackpool: both darters are determined to secure a place in the next round at all costs.

“I think he has had my number on stage the last four or five times I have played him. I will definitely be looking to put that right,” Cullen said as he looked ahead to the opening round of the World Matchplay. “We have spent quite a lot of time together this year, even the spare time with the stag do and the golf. So I think we have got that little bit closer. We are really similar in so many ways. We are not boring."

Cullen knows he has come off second best in recent meetings with Aspinall. The multiple PDC ranking event winner lost to his compatriot the last few times and is determined to break that run. “We are exciting to watch and I am looking forward to it. It should be a great game.”

For Cullen, competing at the World Matchplay is another chance to test himself against the absolute elite. At the same time, he views major tournaments differently than a few years ago. The time when everything felt straightforward is behind him. “Obviously, I want to do well at TV events, but I want to win,” Cullen admitted. “I won a couple of tournaments last year. Maybe not at the big majors, but Pro Tours are so difficult to win. The fields are brilliant every time you go there."

The meeting with Aspinall therefore promises to be more than just an opening round. Two friends face off at one of the biggest darts tournaments in the world, with only one goal: reaching the next round.

Although friendship will undoubtedly take centre stage again afterwards, Cullen is clear about his ambitions. He wants to put the recent defeats to Aspinall behind him and prove he can still mix it at the highest level. “So I think if I can just carry on winning, a couple of wins under my belt, and preferably it will be a TV event, but any win is a good win.”