Gian van Veen will take on his darting idol Gary Anderson for a place in the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals on Saturday, as two generations collide in Wolverhampton.
Van Veen has taken this year’s Grand Slam of Darts by storm, boasting a tournament average of 108.89 in the group phase, before averaging over 106 in his 10-2 demolition of Ryan Joyce in the last 16.
The Dutchman’s lowest average of the tournament is a staggering 103.99, and he will be hoping to maintain that incredible standard as he continues his pursuit of the iconic Eric Bristow Trophy.
“After finishing top of Group H in the way that I did, there was always going to be pressure on myself to continue that form going into the knockout stages,” conceded Van Veen.
“I knew I probably wasn’t going to sustain the 109 or 110 average, but I was really happy with that performance against Ryan.”
Van Veen will take on two-time Grand Slam runner-up Anderson for a place at Finals Day, after the Scottish icon ran out a 10-6 winner in his second round clash against Stephen Bunting.
The two-time World Champion has averaged 102 across his four matches, and Van Veen is relishing the prospect of facing his darting inspiration on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
“I have never beaten Gary Anderson before,” revealed the 22-year-old, who lost both of his ProTour encounters against Anderson in 2023.
“Growing up, I was always watching Gary Anderson. He is my hero, so I’m looking forward to playing him.
“Next up it is best of 31 [legs]. I have never played that before so we will see how that goes, but if I continue playing like this, I’m definitely in with a chance this week.”
Anderson has also impressed in reaching a tenth Grand Slam quarter-final, with his victory over Bunting preceded by group stage wins against Ryan Joyce, Michael van Gerwen and Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
However, the 53-year-old was full of praise for Van Veen, and admitted he may have to produce his brilliant best in order to preserve his title hopes in Wolverhampton.
“Gian has played absolutely fantastic darts,” claimed Anderson, who landed four ton-plus checkouts to see off Bunting in the last 16.
“The averages he’s been putting in – he’s been spot on, you cannot argue with it. The boy is good!
“I’m playing well. On the floor it’s fantastic. On stage, I just don’t quite know.
“I started off brilliantly in the first game – that’s how I’ve been playing on the floor. It’s gone downhill since, so I need to pick it up for the next game.”
Saturday’s opening quarter-final will see Luke Littler and Jermaine Wattimena go head-to-head, fresh from dramatic deciding-leg wins over Belgian duo Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Littler hit back from 8-4 down to deny World Grand Prix champion De Decker in an absorbing contest, as both players averaged over 103 and landed ten maximums apiece.
Wattimena, meanwhile, survived eight missed match darts in a remarkable tussle against Van den Bergh, having also overturned a 4-0 deficit on his way to victory.
2024 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts
Saturday November 16 (1900 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Jermaine Wattimena v Luke Littler
Gary Anderson v Gian van Veen
Sunday November 17
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
Semi-Finals
Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman
Wattimena/Littler v Anderson/Van Veen
Evening Session (1930 GMT)
Final