Lloyd Fires Warning Shot

COLIN LLOYD has sent a warning to his rivals ahead of the Sky Bet World Grand Prix semi-finals: "I've yet to hit top gear."

Lloyd booked a place in the last four of the tournament with a 4-3 defeat of Steve Beaton on Friday night, although he allowed a 3-1 lead to slip against the former World Champion.

The defending Grand Prix winner has been unhappy with his form throughout the week, and insists that he will have to step up a gear when he takes on Dennis Priestley in the last four.

"There is more left in the tank, and I know that," said Lloyd. "I know how well I've been playing and if you're in the tournament you still have a chance.

"I don't feel as though I've got to raise my game a great deal, but it's a case of Colin Lloyd throwing his normal game because I don't think people have seen the best of me yet."

Priestley is bidding to reach a ninth major PDC final, but the 55-year-old Yorkshireman admits he is desperate to add to his tally of just one win - the 1994 World Championship win against Phil Taylor.

"I've been to the business end so many times but when you lose out that much you forget how good it is," he said.

"I'd give all up-and-coming sportsmen, especially in individual sports, the tip of making a note of what you've done when you are a winner because you can relate to it when you're a loser.

"I can win this tournament easily - but I can go out in the next game just as easily. It all depends on the day and it's such a brilliant game.

"It's going to be a tough game against Colin but I can beat him. I can beat anybody if I play to my potential, but I've not played to my potential for a while.

"I showed a little bit in Blackpool (when he reached the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay), which surprised me.

"I was very pleased and that gave me the encouragement to think that I might be okay in televised tournaments.

"It's only one game, but on the floor you play a lot of games each day and it's harder."

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