"If I maintain this level, it’s going to take a special performance to stop me" - Gian van Veen feels confidence flowing after another 100+ Grand Slam performance

Gian van Veen continues to impress at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. The 22-year-old Dutchman, who managed to win his three matches in the group stage with a 100+ average each time, thrashed Ryan Joyce 10-2 in the last sixteen, achieving an average of 106.45. Van Veen will take now on Gary Anderson in the quarter-finals, after the Scot won 10-6 over Stephen Bunting on Thursday night.

“There was always going to be pressure on myself to continue that form, and I’m really happy with that performance,” assessed Van Veen in his post-match press conference, having reeled off seven legs in succession against Joyce. “I think if I can maintain this level it’s going to take a special performance to stop me, but every player in this tournament is capable of doing that."

The 2024 Grand Slam of Darts has been another tournament of upsets. One such surprise came when Joyce defeated Michael van Gerwen in his final group game, taking a spot in the last 16 at the mighty Dutchman's expense. "I know how great of a player Ryan is. But you're always going to be surprised that it's not Michael van Gerwen," Van Veen admits. "A lot of players say they don't mind who they play, but of course I'd rather play Ryan Joyce than Michael van Gerwen."

In the quarterfinals, Van Veen will take on a legendary figure in darts, two time world champion Gary Anderson. With the format rising to best of 31, it's untested ground that Van Veen will competing in. “Next up it’s best of 31. I have never played that before so we will see how that goes," he explains. "But if I continue playing like this, I’m definitely in with a chance this week.”

Van Veen is one of the brightest young talents in the PDC who was long been touted as a future star of the sport. Since the emergence of Luke Littler, the press is mostly talking about the 17-year-old Englishman however, allowing Van Veen's impressive development to fly under the radar. "You can see, what Luke Littler has done from that moment onwards and every eye is on him, and he's performing really well under that pressure," Van Veen praises in conclusion. "But it's given me a lot of less pressure this year."

Notably, Littler himself is still going at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. After surviving a last leg thriller with Mike de Decker, the Nuke now faces Jermaine Wattimena. If both Littler and Van Veen win their respective quarterfinals, a semi-final showdown between the pair awaits.