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VAN VEEN WINS ALL-DUTCH THRILLER TO SET UP WADE CLASH IN BLACKPOOL

Gian van Veen won through an epic tie-break against his fellow countryman Wessel Nijman to set up a quarter-final showdown against James Wade at the Betfred World Matchplay on Wednesday.

Van Veen claimed the spoils in an absorbing all-Dutch affair at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, defying a stirring fightback from his compatriot to triumph 14-12 in the tie-break.
Following Luke Humphries' opening round exit in Blackpool, Nijman was installed as the second favourite - behind Luke Littler - to lift the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy. However, Dutch number one Van Veen reaffirmed his credentials with a courageous display, producing a brilliant late flurry to continue his pursuit of a second televised ranking title.
Trailing 4-1, Nijman recovered from a tentative start to restore parity at five apiece, before reeling off three straight legs from 9-7 adrift to close in on a maiden televised quarter-final. However, with Nijman sat on a potential two-darter for victory, Van Veen crashed in a majestic 148 skin-saver, which he followed up with a 12-dart break in the penultimate leg of the contest.

"I don't have words at the moment. This was such an intense game," admitted Van Veen, who has won 12 of his 17 meetings against Nijman. "That 148 finish really saved the game tonight, and I'm so glad with this win. "Wessel has shown all through 2026 what he's capable of. "He's won so many titles; he is playing phenomenal darts, but I know on the big stage I can do it as well."

The European Champion will now renew his rivalry with 2007 champion Wade in a repeat of their quarter-final clash 12 months ago, following a hard-fought 11-8 success against Ryan Searle. There was nothing to separate the pair after ten legs, but Wade showed his class in the latter stages, converting sublime 121 and 143 checkouts to see off a spirited Searle.

"I was just so nervous, so frightened to win and hit a treble. but I'm just so happy," declared Wade, who is through to his 14th World Matchplay quarter-final. "I was just lucky enough that Ryan didn't play that well. "The 143, I was praying for something to happen, and it did happen. It gave me a little bit of a pump up. "I just love being part of it. Darts is part of my life and part of who I am and I can't walk away from it."

Elsewhere, 2022 runner-up Gerwyn Price powered past former champion Rob Cross to set up a fascinating last eight showdown against Ross Smith on Friday evening. After landing a spectacular 161 checkout in the opening exchanges, the Welshman then produced a six-leg burst midway through the contest en route to sealing a comprehensive 11-5 victory.

"I'm going in the right direction," insisted Price, who averaged almost 98 and pinned 50% of his attempts at double. "If I want to win this tournament I need to be a lot better than that, but I showed a little bit of the old me tonight. I think I need to bring that back. "I need that energy, I need that buzz and I think Ross brings that, so I'm going to bring it a bit more on Friday, because I'm here to win."

Smith, meanwhile, progressed to the quarter-finals after Cameron Menzies was taken unwell during the fourth leg of their clash at the Empress Ballroom. Menzies experienced high blood pressure, which caused him to feel dizzy and subsequently faint after leaving the stage. However, following an assessment by the on-site medical team, the Scot was deemed well enough to return to his accommodation.

The Betfred World Matchplay quarter-finals begin on Thursday, as reigning champion Luke Littler continues his defence of the Phil Taylor Trophy against last year's semi-finalist Josh Rock. The evening's opener will see 2018 champion Gary Anderson take on Dirk van Duijvenbode, who dumped out three-time winner Michael van Gerwen to reach his second Blackpool quarter-final.

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