“He fits the bill: young, talented, and no red flags” - Van der Voort predicts that Josh Rock will be a Premier League contender for 2026

Back in their familiar Amsterdam recording studio, Vincent van der Voort and Damian Vlottes returned with their World Matchplay Draait Door podcast for Sportnieuws.nl, reflecting on a dramatic day of action in Blackpool. With the four semi-finalists now confirmed, the race for the prestigious World Matchplay title is heading towards its climax.

The opening quarter-final saw Luke Littler take on Andrew Gilding in a gripping encounter. Despite a barrage of 180s—breaking the Matchplay record—and an astonishing 104 average over 30 legs, Littler was pushed all the way. Gilding defied expectations with his resilience and timely finishes, including checkouts of 160 and 127. “The term ‘shit fly’ probably fits Gilding best,” Van der Voort quipped. “You just can’t get rid of him. And the way he played that match… honestly, that’s exactly how you should do it.” Littler ultimately sealed the win with an 11-darter in the deciding leg, but it was far from straightforward for the teenage sensation. “He makes it difficult for everyone,” Vlottes noted. “Maybe not the most commercially appealing style, but athletically, he’s top class.”

Josh Rock booked his spot in the semi-finals with a composed display against Gerwyn Price, showing both firepower and poise under pressure. Rock outscored the Welshman and capitalised clinically on missed doubles—including a pivotal moment when Price faltered on 59. “You saw the shift right there,” Vlottes explained. “Price missed, Rock punished. He’s taken a huge step forward. After that World Youth title, this is the year he really breaks through.” Already a World Cup winner earlier this year, Rock now finds himself on the brink of another major final. “If he keeps this trajectory going, he’ll be in the Premier League next year,” predicted Van der Voort. “He fits the bill: young, talented, and no red flags.”

At the other end of the draw, James Wade has once again battled his way into the semi-finals of a major tournament—his tenth from twenty Matchplay appearances. “That stat actually came from a journalist during the press conference,” Vlottes revealed. “And it says it all. He might not be a fan favourite, but his record speaks volumes.” Wade remains one of the most decorated players of his generation, yet rarely receives the recognition he deserves. “He doesn't play with the flamboyance others have,” said Vlottes, “but look at the trophies—he’s one of the most successful players of the last two decades.”

Despite his achievements, Wade is often overlooked. “He was well aware his name didn’t feature in any of the promotional videos,” Vlottes added. “He says it doesn’t bother him—but it clearly does.” Standing in his way is Jonny Clayton, who has quietly impressed in Blackpool. “Scoring-wise, he’s been rock solid,” Van der Voort said, giving Clayton a slight edge. One concern for Wade is whether he can physically cope with a long-format final. “In the UK Open final, he was completely spent after two games in one day. That’s still a question mark.”

The standout tie of the semi-finals is undoubtedly the clash between Luke Littler and Josh Rock. The pair have barely faced each other on the big stage, making this a fascinating first major showdown. “They’ve hardly crossed paths before,” said Vlottes. “This is their first proper head-to-head.” Both have proven their credentials in the long-format Matchplay environment, and expectations are sky-high. “If Rock averages 104 again over 27 legs, and Littler matches that, we could be in for something ridiculous,” Van der Voort predicted. “Two young lads, feeding off each other, pushing the scoring into the stratosphere. You can only dream of matches like that.”

Away from the oche, a hint of controversy surfaced after James Wade referred to Gian van Veen dismissively as “that guy” during an interview, questioning his status as a top talent. Van Veen, now ranked in the world’s top 20, responded with grace—and a touch of humour. “I didn’t think it was very nice,” he admitted. “It’s fine if he doesn’t see me as a top talent, but calling me ‘that guy’ felt a bit condescending.” Van Veen added: “I’ve always said Wessel Nijman is more talented than me. But I’m in the top 20 now because of fighting spirit—and that counts for something, too.” Van der Voort was quick to defend his countryman: “With Gian, the whole package is right. He’s mentally strong, stable, technically sound. Not everyone has Littler’s raw talent, but you can still become a top player.”