VAN VEEN OUT TO SHUT DOWN HUMPHRIES ONCE MORE!

GIAN VAN VEEN sailed into his first Ally Pally quarter-final and wasted no time setting his sights on a FIFTH straight win over Luke Humphries.

World No5 Van Veen averaged 98.48 and hit nine 180s to dispatch Charlie Manby 4-1 in the last 16 of the World Championship.

Bu the reigning European champ admitted that it didn’t always feel as straightforward as the scoreline suggested.

Van Veen immediately shifted his focus to Humphries, confident in his ability to maintain his perfect record against the eight-time major winner.

He said: “I did not feel in control as it looked.

“The scoring was a bit up and down but some really good finishes got me through again.

“As soon as I got 3-1 up, I knew I am feeling really good.

“I tripped up a little bit in that last set but luckily I got it done.

“The 180s were landing the way I wanted to. The last game I think I only hit four 180s.

“It shows that today I felt way more comfortable than I did the other day.

“I have played Luke [Humphries] four times this year and beat him four times.

“I am looking forward to see him against Kevin Doets and I am awaiting the winner.”

The Dutchman is having a breakout season, having claimed his first ProTour title at Players Championship Six, where he defeated ‘Cool Hand Luke’ 8-3 in the final.

Van Veen then went on to add another major trophy to his collection, winning his first European Championship title after once again overcoming world No. 2 Humphries.

Image by Taylor Lanning.