Gian van Veen caused a surprise at the World Matchplay on Saturday. The Dutchman eliminated defending champion Luke Humphries in the first round: 10-8. Wessel Nijman also caused a surprise.
The 23-year-old Van Veen started strongly and immediately took a break lead. But Humphries, who was sometimes annoyed by the audience in Blackpool, fought back, including with a finish of 146.
Van Veen then took a break lead twice more, but Humphries equalized the score each time. When ‘The Giant’ took an 8-7 lead, the world number one failed to fight back again. Van Veen missed a few match darts, but eventually struck on double-4.
In the second round, Van Veen will face Danny Noppert. The Frisian won earlier in the evening 10-2 against the Scot Cameron Menzies. Noppert was quickly 5-0 up after, among other things, a finish of 104. Menzies then took two more legs.
Nijman also caused a surprise. The Dutchman eliminated world number seven Nathan Aspinall: 10-6. Nijman faces James Wade in the second round.
In total, seven Dutch players are participating in the World Matchplay. Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jermaine Wattimena will appear on the oche on Sunday. On Monday, the match between Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld is scheduled.
Van Gerwen won the World Matchplay three times. The Brabander last triumphed in 2022. Last year he lost in the final to Humphries.