King targeting big-stage glory

Mervyn King (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Mervyn King has reiterated his desire to win further honours as he prepares to return to action in September following a summer break.

The world number 20 was a quarter-finalist in the Betfred World Matchplay in July as he enjoyed his best run in a televised event for three years.

A former World Masters and International Darts League winner, the 53-year-old has reached four televised finals since joining the PDC circuit in 2007 but is hoping to challenge for honours during the autumn's busy schedule of big-stage events.

Listen to "Pyke on World Series, Trego's Ashes chat & King's hunger for titles" on Spreaker.

"I'm putting a lot of hard work in - I have been for the last 18 months - and it now seems to be showing," said King, speaking on The Darts Show podcast.

"It was ok on the floor but I wasn't doing anything in the majors, and [after the World Matchplay] hopefully that will carry on and maybe get even better.

"I'm not scared of anybody. There's only one person that really makes me think about my game and that's Gary Anderson. He does what I do on the practice board but he's found a way of taking that to the stage, where I've yet to.

"If I can take that to the stage, I won't just win a major, I'll win the Worlds. 

"I haven't managed to find out how to do it yet but I'm still looking and I will continue to look until I either can't play any more or I find it!"

Mervyn King (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Alongside his run to the World Matchplay's last eight, King as reached two European Tour quarter-finals and one Players Championship semi-finals this year, and described his first half of 2019 as "a bit up and down to be fair.

"I've not felt the best about my form and I've produced some decent results and then I've felt really good and had five out of six Players Championships where I didn't drawn a bean.

"I can't seem to put my finger on [it] - it's a bit crazy."

King missed out on qualification for the next three European Tour events, but is aiming to hang on to his place in the field for October's BoyleSports World Grand Prix.

"Unfortunately I miss the next three European Tour events, which has maybe put my place in the [World] Grand Prix under a little bit of pressure," added the 2012 Dublin finalist.

"We've got a few Players Championships before the cut-off so hopefully I can dig deep and do what I need to do to keep that alive."