Kevin Painter has insisted that the short format in the first round of the Players Championship Finals could work to his advantage against Michael van Gerwen.
Painter is defending the title that he won last year and despite the yearly Pro Tour results leaving him with an opening round match with the PDC's in-form player, the 45-year-old believes that he is capable of causing a surprise.
Painter told PDC.TV: "Michael's been playing really well recently and he's the man of the moment. He's playing some unbelievable darts and everything he does is working for him.
"He can't do anything wrong so I know it's going to be a tough game, but it's only the first to six legs and I've beaten him plenty of times before."
The Players Championship Finals begin on Friday afternoon in Minehead.
