Andrew Gilding sealed a superb 11-5 win over Krzysztof Ratajski to break new ground at the
World Matchplay. He will now play a Quarter-Final against Michael van Gerwen as he dreams of a second major success.
Gilding who hit finishes of 110 and 127 en route to going 7-2 up and had Ratajski come back only for 'Goldfinger' to slam the door shut hasn't been in great form lately. But he knows where he has gone wrong and what he needs to address.
"I know my form has been dodgy. I've been practicing my technique trying to get that straight dart through. Where as the last few months I've just been throwing the darts instead of really focusing on technique," said Gilding post match. "I seem to be hitting the doubles, that's my main strength when I'm playing well and a few 180's as well.
But while the World Matchplay run is his priority, he also has his sights firmly set on a nine-dart finish instead. "That would be lovely. What I really want is a nine-darter on stage I don't know if they still give you a gold pin for that. That's what I really want a gold nine pin."
"I haven't got to worry too much about the next game, I've already got further than I've ever got before so that's always my goal. Do one better than before. Sometimes I sort of leap frog. I've never won a Players Championship but I've won a major. So hopefully I can leapfrog again and do even better."
But also he has his sights set on a bungalow and more property after initially buying a flat on winning the UK Open.
"We're still chasing that property. When I won the UK Open I said I wanted to buy a flat, now we're sort of hoping to get a bungalow now. Raise the level a bit. So that's probably an incentive. This is big money to be had."