'I feel like I'm one of the best players in the world again': Confidence flowing for in-form Nathan Aspinall

Nathan Aspinall has called himself one of the best players in the world again with supreme confidence flowing through his veins after another win. This time against Ricardo Pietreczko at the Baltic Sea Darts Open.

Aspinall saw off Pikachu in Leverkusen and went on to lift the title. A good omen and he will hope that is the case again.

Facing a German on home soil is always difficult and he admits that he tried to get ahead before the crowd started to get on his back. Despite being a crowd favourite, Aspinall said he was aware that if the chips are down it would flip against him.

"It was a good game of darts, I played Ricardo a few times and I know what he's capable of. My game plan was just to not let him get involved in the game. I didn't want the crowd getting involved. I have so much good support in Germany but when it gets close they always want the home guy to win. I respect that but I let him back in the game.

"It went 4-4 I missed them three darts by a mile but luckily Pikachu missed, I took it out and I put in a good last leg so happy with the performance. I thought it was a decent performance overall, get through and a big day tomorrow (Sunday)."

But after some incredible recent wins and the form returning, Aspinall said his confidence is brimming and he finally walks on stage again knowing he can win every time.

He said he doesn't think he can lose. But of course is realistic that he will at points albeit not denting his overall confidence.

"I feel like I'm one of the best players in the world again. My darts are fantastic, scoring is fantastic, doubling is great. I feel confident. Darts is all about confidence, I've lacked that over the last 18 months but the confidence is back. Every time I walk on this stage I don't think I'm going to lose and there's not many players in the world of darts that can feel like that."

"Obviously it's a sport so you do lose but I'm just enjoying my darts, I'm enjoying playing well."

Next up is Danny Noppert. A player who he has played so many times but not this year. Albeit he said he has to be on his guard as he knows that the Dutchman produces his best against him often.

"I think we played about 20 times last year. Danny is a great player, he's a better player than what his results have shown. I know what I've got to do, he only plays well against me. Has these high 90's, early 100's so I have to be on my game tomorrow but I'm looking forward to another tough game."

"Hopefully I play Dobey in the quarters not looking too far ahead but I want to play Dobey in the Quarters."