MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is determined to bounce back from his early exit at last weekend's European Championship with victory at the bwin World Series of Darts Finals in Vienna.
Van Gerwen suffered a shock loss to Steve West in the opening round of last week's event in Dortmund but is eager to put that disappointment behind him this weekend as he bids for a fourth successive World Series Finals title.
The world number one will take on Damon Heta in Saturday evening's second round at the Multiversum, with number three seed Van Gerwen keen to ensure his remains the only name on the trophy.
“It is always important to me to bounce back from disappointment," said Van Gerwen, who is among the eight seeds to enter the competition on day two.
"When you are always winning it can feel easier to keep on winning but after a bad tournament, and any tournament I don’t win is a bad one for me, then it shows strength to come back and win.
“I have done that many time and I know that I am still the man to beat and so does everybody else.
“The World Series would be a nice one to win because there were different winners in all of the events so to win the finals would make someone clearly come out on top.
“I am focused, determined and confident that it will be me and I am looking forward to enjoying a successful weekend in Vienna.”
Saturday's second night of the tournament will be broadcast live on ITV4 and through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners, as well as through PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers.
2018 bwin World Series of Darts Finals
Schedule of Play
Friday November 2 (2000 Local Time 1900 UK Time)
Saturday November 3 (2000 Local Time 1900 UK Time)
Second Round x8
Michael Smith v Kyle Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Raymond Smith
Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall
Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price
Simon Whitlock v Daryl Gurney
Rob Cross v Jamie Lewis
Mensur Suljovic v James Wade
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta