Mark Dudbridge has gone back to basics in his bid to rediscover the form that carried him to the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship two years ago.
The 33-year-old from Bristol looked like he could become the long-term successor to Phil Taylor when he finished runner-up to 'The Power' in January 2005, six months after also reaching the final of the World Matchplay.
But since then, the man nicknamed 'Flash' has failed to continue the good work and found himself overtaken in the pecking order of emerging talent by the likes of Adrian Lewis, Terry Jenkins and James Wade.
Now the time has come for Dudbridge to get himself back on track and, after a convincing 3-1 win over useful American player John Kuczynski in Purfleet, it looks as though he may have found the right formula.
'There's no point polishing over the truth - the truth is that I haven't been performing to my potential,' said Dudbridge, who meets Andy Hamilton tonight for a place in the third round.
'Everyone knows that - myself, my family, my sponsors. But they have all been behind me, saying "don't worry, class will tell".
'What I've decided to do is go back to basics, just having a throw at home when I want to. I've not been forcing myself to practise. I know a lot of the guys practise for four or five hours a day, but I need to remember I have natural ability and that has been enough in the past.'
Dudbridge believes the lean spell he has endured has served as the wake-up call he required to remind him of the pitfalls that pepper professional sport.
'Everything seemed to come so easily for me,' said the world number 14. 'I was going out there and playing with the crowd and I just knew my darts would go in.
'I know I haven't won the world title yet but I'm just counting on my natural ability again.'
His match against 'The Hammer' promises to be one of the best of the second round and will be a clash of styles - Dudbridge's flair and fluency against the metronomic precision of his opponent.
'Andy is a great player who has come on leaps and bounds,' said Dudbridge. 'We all know what to expect from him - but he will have a fight on his hands.'
Also in action as the tournament resumes after its three-day Christmas break is title-holder Taylor, who meets fast-improving Irish dangerman Mick McGowan.
Ninth seed Denis Ovens kicks things off against Alan Tabern, while Alan Caves, surprise first-round conqueror of Wayne Mardle, brings the night to a close when he takes on Dave Askew.
