Whitlock on resurgence ahead of Van Gerwen clash: "I think it's just belief and confidence"

Simon Whitlock will face off against Michael van Gerwen on Sunday evening during the Grand Slam of Darts Quarter-Finals.

Whitlock has defeated Van Gerwen at both the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix and will look to do so again and he has that 'belief and confidence' ahead of the tie.

"I think it's just belief and confidence," Whitlock told the Darts Show podcast. "I've been practising well, I've been playing a lot of online darts this year so my game is at a really good stage. I am actually happy with my set-up, with my darts, which all goes towards confidence.

"I've beaten Michael [van Gerwen] the last two times on TV in big majors so I've definitely got the game. It's just performing on the day. If I feel good and everything clicks, then I can beat anybody.

"I don't really like the format. I don't like the round-robin stuff - that doesn't really work for me," he admitted.

"It is not really in your hands sometimes but if you get through that then it is good, because you get to the longer game, the knockout, and I do enjoy that part of it."