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Luke Littler believes his recent upturn in form in the Premier League has shown he is “not finished”.
The world number one struggled in the opening weeks of the competition before reaching his first final on night five in Cardiff, beating Jonny Clayton.
Since then, Littler has won the last two events in Dublin and Berlin to surge to the top of the standings on 21 points ahead of night nine in Manchester, where he will face Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals.
Asked about what it was like not being on top, Littler said: “It is what it is. We win some, we lose some, we’re going to play bad then we’ll bounce back even better.
“I think that’s what I’ve done. I’ve shown everyone that I’m not finished as everyone was saying after the first few weeks and I’m back where I belong.”
There are eight more nights remaining before the top four players compete in next month’s finals at the O2.
Littler is two points clear of Clayton, while Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen occupy the remaining top-four spots and the 19-year-old knows his opponents will remain on his heels.
He added: “It’s just from what I’ve done, just bounced back from a bad start back to where I think I should belong – is at the top.
“Jonny’s had a great start as well, but there’s no doubt Jonny will keep chasing, everyone’s going to keep chasing for top spot.
“Everyone wants it, we know that. We’ve just got to keep going.”
Speaking about what he needs to reach the O2, Littler said: “The last few years, I think it’s been about 25 or 26 points gets you in. Call it 30 points and then I’ll say I’m in.”
Van Gerwen is set to meet Stephen Bunting in the opening match of Thursday’s quarter-finals, while Price takes on Luke Humphries.
Clayton faces Josh Rock, who picked up his first win of the competition last week in Berlin.