Thursday 18 December 2014 12:01, UK
Gary Anderson is confident he can mount a strong challenge for his first World Championship title at Alexandra Palace over the next couple of weeks.
The 43-year-old Scot goes into the tournament as the clear third favourite behind Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen after rediscovering his best form in recent months.
If I didn’t think I could beat them I wouldn’t be playing, it’s as simple as that.
The world No 4, who won the Players Championship in Minehead at the end of last month, will open his World Championship campaign on Saturday evening against the winner of the preliminary qualifier between New Zealander Mark McGrath or American Scott Kirchner.
Anderson lost 7-5 to Adrian Lewis in the 2011 final but believes he can go one better this year and sees himself as a realistic challenger to 16-time champion Taylor and defending champion Van Gerwen.
“If I didn’t think I could beat them I wouldn’t be playing, it’s as simple as that. They are going to have a game on their hands this year,” Anderson told Sky Sports News HQ.
“My preparations have been going great. I had five or six days up in Scotland, came back and I have been on the board ever since.
“The World Championship, everyone wants that under their belt. Phil’s dominated it for the last 20 or 30 odd years and Michael van Gerwen is stepping in now, so the rest of us are chasing them."
Anderson reckons there are several other players capable of making their mark at Alexandra Palace.
He added: “You have got Adrian Lewis, Dave Chisnall, one of the outside players, Michael Smith, and of course myself.”
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