Gian van Veen has secured his first-ever World Matchplay semi-final berth, defeating darts legend James Wade 16-13 in a hard-fought quarter-final. This victory was sweet revenge for Van Veen, who was knocked out by Wade at the same stage last year. Despite a self-confessed “poor” performance, the young Dutchman showed immense resilience to overcome Wade’s renowned comeback ability and set up a blockbuster clash with Gerwyn Price.
A Battle of Redemption and Resilience
The Winter Gardens witnessed a compelling quarter-final as Gian van Veen exacted his revenge on James Wade. Precisely one year after Wade eliminated him from the competition with a 16-13 scoreline, Van Veen turned the tables, securing his own 16-13 win. This highly anticipated rematch, however, took its time to truly ignite.
A Slow Burn: Early Exchanges
The match began with both players struggling to find their rhythm, resulting in a somewhat scrappy affair. Van Veen managed to edge the first mini-session, taking a 3-2 lead. This slow tempo continued, with neither player dominating the scoring. However, Van Veen capitalized on crucial moments, securing a vital break of throw in the third mini-session to extend his advantage to 9-6. His consistency on the doubles was a key factor in building this early lead.
Wade’s Legendary Comeback
Just as Van Veen appeared to be pulling away, securing another break to create further daylight, James Wade, a true veteran of the sport, showcased his renowned fighting spirit. Known for his resilience, Wade reeled off four consecutive legs, punctuated by a brilliant 121 checkout on the bullseye, to sensationally draw level at 12-12. This dramatic resurgence finally brought the match to life, setting up a thrilling finale.
The Decisive Moments
With the score tied, the tension was palpable. Van Veen, refusing to buckle under pressure, regained his composure and broke Wade’s throw once more with an excellent 118 checkout, moving within two legs of victory. Wade responded with incredible resilience, hitting yet another magnificent 121 finish on the bull to keep his hopes alive. However, a slight misstep from Wade in the subsequent leg provided Van Veen with the opening he needed. The young Dutchman seized the opportunity, closing out the match to secure his place in the semi-finals for the first time in his burgeoning career.
Van Veen’s Candid Assessment
Despite the historic victory, Van Veen was remarkably humble and self-critical in his post-match comments.
- “It felt very poor. I think that’s the right word to use,” he admitted, acknowledging his struggles on stage.
- “I was scoring so terribly.”
- He also candidly shared that luck played a part: “I was so lucky James wasn’t scoring as well, I was struggling up here [on the stage].”
His assessment highlighted that this was a grind-out victory against one of Blackpool’s most decorated performers, rather than a dominant display. Nevertheless, Van Veen expressed his satisfaction with the result: “It was a tight battle but I’m glad I got the job done in the end.”
Looking Ahead: A Clash with Price
Van Veen now prepares to face former World Champion Gerwyn Price in the semi-final. Price secured his spot by defeating Ross Smith in an earlier quarter-final. Recognizing the challenge ahead, Van Veen stated, “Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be a lot better, because I need to against Gezzy.” The darting world eagerly anticipates this exciting semi-final showdown.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
