RICKY EVANS says love is helping him power through a dream run at the Grand Slam.
The World No46 battled through pain and emotion to beat Luke Woodhouse 10-9 in a nerve-shredding classic and reached his first-ever quarter-final at the Major.
Evans, 35, has been struggling with painful finger spasms for almost a year but admits the support from his partner has kept him going through the toughest moments.
He now faces Gerwyn Price on Friday night and revealed: “She’s amazing. She’s a nurse, she looks after me, even sorts out tablets for my tendonitis and arthritis.
“Some days I can barely walk. She keeps me calm and positive. She’s not the reason I’m winning – but she definitely helps.”
Evans also drew inspiration from his late sister Elisha who passed away earlier this year. He believes she is still guiding him on stage.
He added: “Maybe she was watching down tonight.
“Maybe she gave me a hand. I don’t know. But I felt something special.
“Of course, I’ll take a bit of credit myself too.
“But maybe she was there with me.”
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info
TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.
The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.
And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.
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Evans returns to darts action on Friday evening in Wolverhampton and will face Gerwyn Price, who he beat 5-4 last week to kick off Group D.
Kettering thrower Evans hopes his thumb will hold up in the clash at the Aldersey Leisure Centre.
He continued: “It winds me up because I don’t understand why it happens.
“I keep saying I’m not nervous, but maybe I am deep down. It’s weird, I love being up there, but my body doesn’t always agree.
“Hopefully it’s fine. If it plays up again but I still win, then it can keep coming back for all I care.”
Premier League Darts 2025
THE Premier League Darts is back with eight players vying for massive prize money and Luke Littler‘s crown.
The teenager, who went on to win the world title in December, won the Premier League in 2024 and will be looking to defend his crown over 18 thrilling weeks.
There were two new entries this season, with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey replacing Peter Wright and Michael Smith.
Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall keep their place in what will be a hotly-contested title race.
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