MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is looking to take his impressive form from the PDC ProTour this year into the Betfair World Matchplay in Blackpool.
The Dutch youngster will be returning to the Winter Gardens for the first time since 2009 after being one of the leading qualifiers for this year's tournament.
Having topped the PDC Unicorn Youth Tour Order of Merit last year and reached the World Youth Championship final, van Gerwen has won two events on the PDC ProTour so far in 2012 and heads to Blackpool in confident mood.
The 23-year-old previously reached the second round at Blackpool in 2007 and 2008, and plays Simon Whitlock in his opener at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.
"It's the second-biggest tournament in the game and I like to play in Blackpool," said van Gerwen. "It's an amazing crowd and a brilliant tournament.
"This will be my fourth time playing there and it will be very nice.
"Previously I've had some very tough draws there. I played Raymond van Barneveld in the first round, Peter Manley and Andy Hamilton, which were all tough games, but it's a good format and I like to play there.
"In the last few years I've not been playing that well but I'm getting some form now and it's making me stronger. I want to show my game and what I can do now.
"I think now I'm playing better than ever, I've qualified for every TV tournament this year and I want the results to come now."
Van Gerwen had enjoyed a meteoric rise as a teenager, but should move back into the world's top 32 following the Betfair World Matchplay - and he is aiming to continue his rise throughout the remainder of the year.
"I'm trying to get into the top 32 again, but I want to go higher," he said. "I think that after the World Matchplay I'm going to be back in the top 32 whatever happens, but some good runs in TV tournaments will take me into the top 20.
"But first you need to perform on stage, and that is the most important thing.
"I know I can play well, everyone knows that. Sometimes in recent years I'd lose to players and it was very frustrating because I knew I could play much better, and I'm happy I'm playing better now.
"It's been frustrating for me, but I've learned a lot and done well in the floor tournaments, and if I can concentrate on the big stage I'll be alright.
"In most of the games at the moment I'm playing well, which is important - I don't have any bad games any more, and that is good.
"I know I can live with anyone's level at the moment, so I'm not afraid of anyone."
Van Gerwen won four events on the PDC Unicorn Youth Tour last year but suffered defeat in a second successive World Youth Championship final when he went down 6-3 to James Hubbard at The O2 in May.
"James played well," van Gerwen concedes. "I didn't expect him to play that well, but I was in a no-win situation because people expected me to win.
"It was disappointing for me, but maybe it's good for me because I can leave the Youth Tour behind now and concentrate on Mens' events.
"It's brought my game to a higher level because I've played a lot of games in the Youth Tour events and it's helped my game.
"I'm happy that my form has come out this year and I've won two ProTour events to make sure I'm qualified for every tournament."
The Betfair World Matchplay will be held from July 21-29 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Tickets for the event are still available by calling the Winter Gardens Box Office on 0844 856 1111 or by visiting www.blackpoollive.com.