Dutch duo progress to last 16 as former Betfred World Matchplay champion also progresses in Blackpool
Sunday night’s session at the Winter Gardens saw two more Dutch players progress in the Betfred World Matchplay.
Sunday evening’s matches at the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool saw Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman complete a terrific day for Dutch darts.
With Michael van Gerwen and Dirk van Duijvenbode having progressed in the afternoon session, they were joined in the last 16 at the Winter Gardens by their fellow countrymen.
Van Veen defeated Krzysztof Ratajski and Nijman got the better of Dave Chisnall to set up a tantalising clash on Wednesday evening.
Van Veen produced a finishing masterclass to account for Poland’s premier player Ratajski, converting a brace of 144 checkouts and a spectacular 160 in the process.
“I think everyone knows I’ve been struggling in the last couple of months,” revealed the European champion, who pinned 67 per cent of his attempts at the outer ring for a 10-6 victory.
“I just needed that win here today. I started off really well but my finishing got me through that game.
“My scoring needs to improve in the next round, but I’m really happy with this win and hopefully I can continue further like this.”
Nijman – a winner of eight ranking titles in 2026 – enjoyed similarly serene progress, averaging almost 99 to sweep aside five-time quarter-finalist Chisnall, 10-5, in his opener.
Wade and Ryan Searle will also go head to head for a place in the quarter-finals, after the pair recorded hard-fought wins against Jermaine Wattimena and William O’Connor respectively.
2007 champion Wade – also a six-time runner-up in Blackpool – began his 21st consecutive World Matchplay campaign with a typically tenacious 10-7 success against Wattimena.
The Aldershot stalwart – aided by a clinical 116 kill – established an early four-leg cushion, before crashing in seven maximums to round off an efficient all-round display.
Searle also delivered the goods in beating debutant O’Connor 10-6, converting 56 per cent of his attempts at double to sink the Irish number one who landed eight maximums in defeat.