"The hype is justified" - Mark Webster and Laura Turner incredibly impressed by Gian van Veen

Gian van Veen only captured his PDC Tour Card at the start of this year, but the 21-year-old Dutchman has enjoyed a rapid rise, already advancing to 52nd in the world rankings.

Van Veen also recently reached the semifinals at the European Championships. "Gian is one of the most improved players on the tour," former Lakeside champion Mark Webster told Sky Sports. "There were issues with dartitis which he made it work and he's playing the best darts of his career."

"He's always been there or there about and I quite liked his reaction at the European Championship when he lost in the semi-finals. It was one of being gutted and not one of, 'I've made it to a semi-final, I feel like I've achieved stuff'," continues the Welshman. "He's got a serious high-end game and when it all clicks into gear he's a tough player to beat. I'm looking forward to seeing him at the Grand Slam with no prize money to defend so he can go on the attack. He gets on with it, he's keen and he's taken some big scalps."

"The hype is justified," adds Sky Sports analyst, and Women's Series star, Laura Turner. "You don't go that deep into a tournament [European Championship] or beat Michael van Gerwen but he's also been very consistent with his performances and he's getting better and better - that's what we're starting to see."

"I guess the risk is what we saw with Josh Rock that he came in as one of the favourites for the World Championship based on what he's done on the floor and elsewhere but they're still young in their careers so it's just trying to keep people grounded and not get too excited."

"It's very hard because when you see a young talent come along you want to see these big wins, big averages and big results and Gian has had a few already but this is a very different ball game. I've been really impressed with what I've seen so far form him," Turner concludes.