Wade makes brutal admission after thrashing Van Veen at World Grand Prix

JAMES WADE brutally admitted he “bashed” Gian van Veen after storming into his first World Grand Prix semi-final in TWELVE years.

The 11-time major winner produced one of his most dominant displays of the season to hammer the Dutchman 3-0 in Leicester.

Wade, 43, averaged 96.71 and converted 56 per cent of his doubles as Van Veen managed just ONE leg in the entire bout.

The Machine has also climbed into the world's top five after leapfrogging Jonny Clayton in the Order of Merit.

He said: "I want to go to bed - I'm tired! I went to sleep last night about midnight and I woke up at 5am and thought 'I'm not around the kids, so why am I waking up so early?!'

"I was really fortunate Gian played like he did. He was pretty poor and I capitalised on that and bashed him up.

"I think the last 18-24 months, players like Gian are beating me because I'm a bit flat. Tonight, I felt more up for it. When I'm feeling up for it, I've done alright."

The Aldershot slinger is overdue another major title after reaching THREE finals over the past 18 months, only to lose to Luke Littler in all three.

He has enjoyed an incredible record on the big stage, winning major titles across the last three decades, with his most recent triumph coming at the 2021 UK Open.

Wade returns to action at the Mattioli Arena on Saturday evening, where he will face either Luke Humphries or Niels Zonneveld.