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Gian van Veen sets up a semi-final showdown with Gerwin Price in the World Matchplay after an eventful 16-13 win over James Wade in Blackpool.
Both players were nowhere near their best in the first half of the contest, only to spark into life in the quarter-finals when Wade fired four consecutive legs to level the match at 11-7.
Scoring improved significantly as the pair traded ton-plus checkouts, only for Van Veen – whose average was just 93 in matches – to win the final two legs and reach the last four for the first time.
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Gian van Veen produced a brilliant 160 checkout to get away from James Wade and take a 9-6 lead into their quarter-final.
The world No 3 will need to improve in the semi-final against Price, who posted an average of 102.78 and scored 10 maximums in a 16-12 win over Ross Smith in the previous quarter-final.
Price recovered from losing a 12-8 lead to reach his first semi-final in world matchplay since 2022, with defending champion Luke Littler facing Dirk van Duyvenbode in Saturday’s other semi-final.
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Mark Webster admits he can’t see anyone beating Luke Littler at this year’s World Matchplay Darts
‘I played pretty decent!’ – Price held off Smith to reach the last four
From the World Masters, UK Open and Premier League, Price reached his fourth televised semi-final, an impressive late scoring run saw him overtake Smith.
The first three legs went by throws, Price found a 117 finish to hold on in the second and grabbed a three-leg burst from the fourth before Smith responded with a 12-darter.
Garwin Price eventually beat Ross Smith 16-12 to reach the semi-finals
Smith struggled to keep pace with Price and took a 100 checkout to avoid falling 8-5, then missed a chance to level the match in front of the Welshman in the next game as he reached the third break with a 3-leg advantage.
Both players traded breaks of throws before Price for the fourth consecutive session, only for Smith to follow it up with a 68 and a 13-darter during the 4-leg stakes to level the contest.
Price came back on top with a 13-darter and later nailed the bullseye for a 121 checkout, with the former world No. 1 finishing 91 for an 11-dart break and closing out the win with a 14-darter.
“Ross (Smith) played a decent game as well so when someone is playing well it’s nice to play well,” Price said. told Sky Sports. “It gives you some confidence going into the next round.
“For him to get back to 12-12, I thought ‘here we go again’ but luckily I gave up four legs on the bounce. 91 double-double bleeds. I’m thankful I played pretty decent tonight.”
‘I have to be better!’ – Van Veen is late to beat Wade
Both players averaged around 90 in the first mini-session in a sluggish second quarterfinal, with Van Veen checkout 160 to lead 9-6 at the third break.
Van Veen wasted a dart to extend his lead but made amends over the next two legs, leading 11-7, before Wade came back with a 79 finish at the bullseye.
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James Wade produced a stunning finish of 121, finishing on the bullseye to keep Gian van Veen under pressure.
The latter won before Wade followed up a 121 finish on the bullseye by holding the throw in the fourth leg, with the match locked at 12–12 until Van Veen made 118 for the second of the back-to-back legs.
‘The Machine’ responded with a 121 finish, before Van Veen checked out a 75 to move within one leg of victory, then closed out his victory with a 13-darter to move one win away from climbing to world No.2.
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James Wade finished 121 on the bullseye to close the gap on Gian van Veen
“Looked so bad!” Van Veen told Sky Sports. “My scoring was terrible. I was very lucky James (Wade) wasn’t scoring as well and my finishing got me through. A win is a win.
“118 finish – I really needed it. It was a tough battle but I’m glad I got the job done.
“Hopefully I’ll be much better tomorrow.”
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Gian van Veen defeated James Wade 16-13 to seal the tie and set up a thrilling World Matchplay semi-final against Gerwyn Price.
What next?
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Garden on Saturday, with two best-of-33 semi-finals to determine who advances to Sunday’s best-of-35 final.
Defending champion Luke Littler continued his bid for back-to-back titles when he faced Van Veen in the first semi-final before facing Dirk van Duyvenbode in the last four at the event for the first time.
Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Watch the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues from 7.30pm on Saturday evenings on Sky Sports Action and until 9pm on Sky Sports Main Events. Stream darts and more great games now.
