VAN VEEN OVERCOMES WADE DESPITE FRUSTRATION

GIAN VAN VEEN admitted frustration nearly boiled over despite sealing a stunning World Masters win over James Wade.

World No.3 Van Veen dumped out ‘The Machine’ 4-2 in Milton Keynes to reach the semi-finals after nailing eight of his 11 attempts at double.

The Dutchman defied a classy 103 average from Wade in a high-quality affair but revealed he was far from satisfied with his own performance.

He said: “From the get-go I noticed in James’ sets in the first leg I was very good. I was throwing 11- and 12-dart legs.

“But in my own sets I wasn’t really performing and that really frustrated me during the game.

“With my finishing percentage, I think I got the job done.”

Van Veen explained the victory felt especially sweet, having lost his previous three encounters against the 11-time major winner.

He added: “He beat me in the World Matchplay last year. He beat me in loads of European events, floor tournaments and in the majors.

“I needed to get one back over him today and I did. The scoring went way better than it was yesterday.

“I think against Nathan [Aspinall] I got a bit lucky, but today I wasn’t.”

The European Champ will now face either Luke Humphries or Danny Noppert for a place in the final on debut.

He continued: “If I’m playing like that, I feel I can handle anyone.

“But of course we saw the way Luke [Humphries] played yesterday — he was phenomenal, especially with the nine-darter.

“Danny is a quality player as well, so I’m really looking forward to playing the winner.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.