"It was unbelievable last year, but this is a different year" - Scott Williams not focusing on Ally Pally return despite heroic semi-final run

Scott Williams has reached the second round of the 2024 Players Championship Finals. The 34-year-old Englishman defeated in-form Gian van Veen 6-5 in the first round in Minehead, and will now face Kim Huybrechts.

Williams looked set for a breakthrough season after reaching the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship in January. The world number 38 has been somewhat below expectations this year though, at least for now. "I'm so happy to get the the win, especially on TV as well that's nice for me. So yeah, I'm just obviously pleased," he says in his post-match interview. "My year this year has been better than last year on the floor. More Euro tours, more ranking money and stuff like that, but yeah, not enough TV exposure."

In a search for a return to the mind of form that made him a World Darts Championship semifinalist, Williams has been tinkering with his set up of late. If this victory over Van Veen is anything to go by though, it seems to have been positive changes. "I know my own darts. I know what I'm doing, I know if I change the point to make it slightly smaller, I know what it's going to do. I know if I change the flight, I know what it's going to do," he explains. "It doesn't seem to be going too bad, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow. It's another tough one."

With a return to the Alexandra Palace nearing, Williams doesn't think last year's success will play too much of a role. "It's a different year," he insists. "I absolutely loved last year, it was unbelievable but this is a different year."

'Shaggy' takes on Kim Huybrechts today in the second round, who was too strong for Wessel Nijman in the first round, 6-1.