Van Veen ready for Wade’s “tactics” in World Grand Prix clash

GIAN VAN VEEN is ready for James Wade’s “tactics” as he prepares for a World Grand Prix quarter-final showdown.

The world No2 battled back from 2-1 down to beat Ryan Searle 3-2 in a dramatic second-round clash in Leicester.

Searle, 38, had landed the highest checkout of the tournament so far with a brilliant 167 and was throwing for the match after breaking Van Veen with a 100 finish in the fourth set.

But Van Veen hit straight back before storming through the deciding set 3-0 to book his place in the last eight.

The Dutchman now faces Wade, who continued his stunning season by beating Stephen Bunting 3-1 with a 93 average.

Van Veen insists he knows exactly what to expect from the 11-time major winner.

He said: “James [Wade] is a fantastic player. He's shown it, especially the last couple of weeks winning in Australia and winning the next European Tour that he played in.

“He’s been really good tonight as well. Yes, he won 3-1 with a 93 average but the one set he lost he wasn’t really there.

“But the other three sets he was fantastic. So, I am expecting the same tomorrow. He’s always good in this format.

“He’s won this tournament before. But I know what it's like to play James. I know his tactics, I know what he's going to do when it's not going his way so I'll be prepared for that.

“He's going to do everything in his capabilities to win that game and that's what he does and that's why he's such a fantastic player.

“With the way he's playing at the moment he doesn't need any of that. He's shown it tonight, he's been fantastic the last couple of months.”

The Giant also has a special connection to the tournament thanks to the man who inspired him as a youngster.

Van Veen revealed his favourite memory of the event comes from Michael van Gerwen's maiden PDC Premier event triumph back in 2012.

He added: “As a Dutchman yes because this is the first major that Michael van Gerwen won.

“I was 10-years-old back then. I remember watching that game, he beat Andy Hamilton in the quarter-finals.

“This is for the very niche darts fans. Michael set it up, Andy took out the 160 in the middle of that game and even though we're 14 years later I still remember that finish.

“Even though that was in Dublin it still, as a Dutchman, it gives me special memories so hopefully I can do the job here this week.”