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MICHAEL Smith has broken down some big barriers this year as he continued his steady climb into the top-eight in the world of darts.

Not only did the Clock Face thrower win a couple of open tournaments on the PDC circuit, he also produced a tremendous effort at the Grand Slam of Darts at Wolverhampton before losing to eventual winner Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals.

That broke a major psychological wall in translating his tip-top form from the floor to the high-profile televised tournaments.

And he will be looking to carry that on from Monday when he tackles Holland’s Jeffrey De Zwann in the opening round of the William Hill World Darts Championships.

He is not taking anything for granted, but feels he has the ability to go far at Ally Pally this year after working a lot on his mind set combined with his rigorous and regular practising.

Smith said: “My TV performances over the last four years have been first and second round. I was getting really fed up with it.

“On the floor I was getting to quarter finals and semis, finals and winning them, but when it got to the big TV games it was round one or two. I think there was too much expectation from myself.

“I know for a fact I can win these big games, but it is a case of doing it. They are two entirely different things.

“In the Grand Slam I proved that I can beat the big players and get to a semi.

“The next step is getting to the final and winning it. It is just baby steps, building up slowly.”

Apart from that good showing Smith won his second European tour title of the year, beating van Gerwen in September’s European Darts Trophy Final in Germany to retain the cup.

“It was the second year running I have beaten Van Gerwen. He had only lost two legs ahead of that and I was worried I may get shown up, but I was 4-0 up in five minutes,” he said.

This was just one of the impressive displays Smith has produced week-to-week which have contributed to him climbing to eighth in the world darts rankings.

“This year I finished number two on the floor – then I look at that I ask why can’t I do that on telly. If I took my floor game to TV then I’d easily get to top four or top two.

“These are baby steps I am taking.

“I am top eight now and aim now the aim is the top four and then target number one.

"That is where I think I belong,” he said.

Smith takes on underdog De Zwann on Monday and, after losing their only previous meeting, he won’t be taking it lightly.

He said: “I have played him once and he beat me fair and square, but the World Championships is a different tournament.

“This is where you have got to bring you’re A game – there are no excuses for this one. It is not 16 boards, and everyone playing. It is just us two on the stage and I reckon this may be his debut at Ally Pally.

"So it’s about seeing who can handle it.

“There will be a couple of shocks in the first round but I don’t think one will be coming this way.”

Read Michael Smith's full and frank interview in next week's Star or online early next week.