Wright: 'It's my time'

Peter Wright (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Peter Wright is going into Wednesday's William Hill World Championship final believing that the time has come for him to be crowned king of Alexandra Palace. 

Wright insists he is unfazed at the prospect of meeting his darting nemesis, Michael van Gerwen, in a repeat of the 2014 decider at Ally Pally - despite a run of high-profile final defeats against the world number one. 

The colourful Scottish star, who upset the odds with a comfortable victory over Gerywn Price in the semi-finals, claims that a record of nine successive defeats in big televised finals at the hands of Van Gerwen will count for nothing on New Year's Day.

"I wasn't ready to be World Champion before but I am now," said Wright, who is appearing in the richest and most prestigious game in darts for the second time. 

"I'm not going to throw it away this time. I've matured over all these years and I am ready now. 

"My previous record in finals doesn't matter - this is my time."

Peter Wright Tournament Stats

Wright has reason to be in bullish mood as he bids to pocket the sport's largest purse of £500,000 and lift the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.

His tournament stats compare well to that of the three-time and defending World Champion.

He has a marginally superior tournament average and checkout success rate, along with six more ton-plus finishes to his name - and has hit an incredible 30 more 180s than his opponent with 57. 

However, the flamboyant former UK Open winner has been run closer in his matches - losing 13 sets en route to the final, while van Gerwen has surrendered just six. 

"Michael hasn't impressed me in this tournament and I think I've played better than him," added Wright. 

"I have kept my focus and got better with every game and I believe I can do anything I want. 

"I knew I was going to make the final and had a set of trousers laid out for every round.

"I told him before we got here that I would see him in the final and beat him - and that is what is going to happen." 

The William Hill World Darts Championship Final will be broadcast live on the Sky Sports Darts channel and through NOW TV in the UK, on PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.

William Hill match winner odds
Michael Van Gerwen - 4/11
Peter Wright - 11/5

Odds courtesy sports.williamhill.com and are correct at time of publication.