Aspinall vows to "win something big soon"

NATHAN ASPINALL is adamant the sky's the limit and he's going to "win something big soon" with the Worlds firmly on his radar.

The Stockport star produced a thrilling victory over Cristo Reyes in Dortmund to advance to a last 16 cracker with Luke Littler.

Aspinall showed his "minerals" during the game with a stunning 134 finish hauling him level at the midway point of the match with six perfect darts helping him swing the match in favour before running out a 6-3 victor.

Afterwards, he looked back on those key moments and said: "They're massive. I've always said it. I'm not the best player in the world. I'm not in probably that top four or top six dart players, but what I've got is minerals. When I need to do something, I find a way.

"It doesn't always come off, but I think if you ask any player under pressure who's the best, I'm up there, right up there. I knew that was important. I think if I go 4–2 down, it's probably game over. The crowd go a bit flat because they want me to win. But if you take a shot out like that, the crowd are cheering you on, momentum.

"I concentrated so much. From 314, I really, really focused. This is what I always say to so many players. He's on a finish and I'm on 314, but don't ever give up. That shot, those six darts, won me that match. So, any amateur player watching this interview, don't ever give up in a leg because moments like that happen. I'm very proud of how I took it out and how I handled the situation. It was a great win."

Aspinall faces a mammoth next task against Littler, but his current form is strong and believes a massive success could be just around the corner.

He added: ""I believe in myself so much. A lot of people don't believe in me. A lot of pundits and people out there don't, always write me off. I know how good I am when I'm on it, but I'm not always on it.

"But I've proved it to myself this year, and I've had a very, very good year. I've only won one European Tour title, but I've proved it to myself. Now I'm back in the top eight. The sky's my limit, as I say. Let's see how far I can go this year.

"Darts is all about positivity. I said to my sports psychologis this afternoon: Something big is around the corner. I don't want it to be this one. I want it to be the Worlds, but, hopefully, it's one of the next four or five. I'm going to win something big soon."