SIMON WHITLOCK admits that he is on a revenge mission when he takes on Andy Hamilton in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship semi-finals on Sunday.
The Australian lost out to Hamilton in a classic at the World Matchplay in July 2011, when he led 15-8 only to dramatically lose 17-15.
Hamilton took nine successive legs - with Whitlock needing only one for victory - to win that match and move into the semi-finals of the Blackpool event.
And Whitlock admits that he is delighted to be locking horns with the Stoke ace again at Alexandra Palace on New Year's Day.
"I've got some good and bad memories about that game," said Whitlock. "I've still got no bad feelings about him winning because he played some fantastic darts to come back and I didn't really do much wrong.
"I missed three darts at double twenty to win the match and one other dart at a 120 finish, but he played out of his skin to win that match.
"I want to get revenge for that but it's nice to see him playing well because he's a fantastic player and a really good friend as well.
"I don't want to get in a close match with him because Andy is one of the best players when it gets in a tight match, as he's shown in the last few matches here.
"I don't find him intimidating but he's a class act, and he's good under pressure, so hopefully it won't be close - unless I'm behind!"
Hamilton has produced some brilliant darts to reach his first World Championship semi-final for five years, as he chased his maiden major title.
"I think it's going to be a great game against Simon," he said. "I'm focused, I'm finishing well and playing consistently, and I've proved I can score with 11 180s in the quarter-finals.
"I've got a vision of winning the World Championship. It's given me positive feelings and the thought of being World Champion is making me perform better."
Click here to see highlights of the World Matchplay Quarter-Final between Andy Hamilton & Simon Whitlock in LIVEPDC.TV