Last year, a heroes welcome awaited him at the Ahoy in Rotterdam on home soil. This time around the double header in Rotterdam has been cancelled due to Coronavirus; with it being played in Milton Keynes behind closed doors.

De Zwaan reflected on the lack of crowd and the difference it will make: “Of course that is a great pity. I would rather have been in a crowded Ahoy with all that audience there. Now you are in an empty room with a tape being played. That is quite different," he admits in an interview with Darts News.

For the former World Matchplay semi-finalist, however, that was no reason to not travel to the UK to play in the one night of action. "It is of course exposure for yourself and your sponsors. So in that respect it is just good to go there. ”

There is doubts on the form of De Zwaan who had to take time out to have shoulder surgery during lockdown; as well his results since returning haven't been up to his usual high standard; and there is even apprehension from 'The Black Cobra'.

“I worked hard on it. I spent a lot of hours training to make sure I got the feeling back. I do notice that there is still some doubt, due to the operation and lack of match practice. Normally you know during a match that it will go in and now there is a moment of doubt ”, says De Zwaan.

That alone would make a win over Wright very welcome. The Dutchman and the Scot met each other twice on the big stage. De Zwaan won their encounter at the European Championship last year, while Wright claimed the win during the last World Championship after a thriller.

De Zwaan has certainly not forgotten that match. “I still have a bone to pick with Peter Wright because of the World Championship. I will go for that. I always play well against the top players, but I am unlucky that they often do that against me as well.”

“It is also an opportunity to show myself to the public. Another stage match and you have to gain that experience every time. That's how I enter that match, that's where it's all about I think.''