The Betfred World Matchplay witnessed high drama as Gian van Veen secured a hard-fought victory over darts veteran James Wade, earning his first-ever semi-final appearance. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price showcased his formidable form, overcoming a spirited challenge from Ross Smith to also book his spot in the final four. These thrilling quarter-final wins set up an exciting showdown between Van Veen and Price in the upcoming semi-finals, promising more top-tier darts action.
Van Veen Survives Late Scare Against Wade
In a gripping quarter-final at the iconic Winter Gardens, Gian van Veen overcame a determined challenge from 2007 champion James Wade. Van Veen, who was defeated by Wade at the same stage last year, exacted his revenge in a hard-fought 16-13 victory, securing his maiden trip to the World Matchplay semi-finals.
The Dutch talent admitted his scoring wasn’t at its best, but his **clutch finishing proved crucial**. After an uneven start, Van Veen found a stunning **160 checkout** out of nowhere to establish a 9-6 lead, later extending it to 11-7.
However, Wade, known for his resilience and ability to finish from difficult positions, mounted a fierce comeback. He hit a series of remarkable finishes, including two bullseye checkouts and a superb **121 finish** (e.g., T20, 11, D15 or T20, T13, D11), to draw level at 12-12. The pressure was immense, but Van Veen held his nerve, firing in a vital **118 checkout** (e.g., T20, 18, D20) to lead 14-12 before sealing the match 16-13, despite another brilliant 121 from Wade.
Van Veen’s Reaction: “My Finishing Got Me Through”
A candid Van Veen shared his thoughts after the match:
- “My scoring was terrible today, but **my finishing got me through that**.”
- “It was a tight battle, but I’m glad I got the job done. I’m in the semi-finals for the first time.”
- “I need to improve my scoring for the next round because **I’ll need to be a lot better against Gezzy (Gerwyn Price)**.”
Price Powers Past Smith in Dominant Display
The first quarter-final of the day saw Gerwyn Price deliver a commanding performance, defeating former European Champion Ross Smith 16-12 to reach his second World Matchplay semi-final. Price demonstrated why he’s a top contender, showcasing his best form of the tournament so far.
The Welshman started with **early fireworks**, winning the first four sessions by a 3-2 margin, building a substantial 12-8 lead. Price’s statistics were impressive, boasting an average of **102.78** and landing **ten maximums** (180s) throughout the match, highlighting his scoring power.
Smith, however, refused to surrender. He launched a **four-leg blitz** to level the score at 12-12, threatening an improbable comeback with clinical finishes like 68 (S16, S12, D20), 72 (S12, S20, D20), and 80 (S20, S20, D20) combinations. But Price, ever the competitor, regained his composure and control in the crucial final stages. He executed a classy **121 checkout on the bullseye** (T20, T7, Bull), followed by a double-double **91 checkout** (T17, D20, D8 or T19, D16, D9), to secure his victory.
Price’s Perspective: “Happy Days”
The 2022 runner-up reflected on his win:
- “Ross played a good game, and it’s nice to play well when someone is playing well against you. **It gives you confidence**.”
- “When Ross got it back to 12-12, I thought: ‘Here we go again’, but thankfully **I rolled off four legs on the bounce**.”
- “I’m trying to keep myself calm, and it worked today. **I’m going to get better and better** as this tournament goes on.”
Anticipation Builds for Semi-Final Showdowns
The stage is now set for a thrilling semi-final Saturday evening. The main event for many will be the clash between **Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price**, promising a battle of youthful exuberance against seasoned power and experience.
In the other semi-final, reigning champion Luke Littler will continue his defence of the Phil Taylor Trophy against the formidable Dirk van Duijvenbode. Darts fans can expect an evening of high-stakes, electrifying action as four of the sport’s best compete for a place in the prestigious final.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
