Gian van Veen delivered a commanding performance to knock out Luke Humphries and book his place in the Paddy Power World Darts Championship semi-finals on a dramatic New Year’s Day at Alexandra Palace.
The opening day of 2026 action featured all four quarter-finals, and it was European Champion Van Veen who made the biggest statement. The 23-year-old swept aside world number two Humphries 5-1 to reach his first World Championship semi-final, joining Luke Littler, Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle in the final four.
Arriving at the tournament without a single World Championship match win to his name, Van Veen underlined his rapid rise with an outstanding display. He averaged 105.41, fired in 11 maximums and continued his dominance over Humphries, extending a perfect head-to-head record from 2025.
Van Veen edged a high-quality opening set before Humphries responded to level the contest, but the Dutchman quickly regained control. Key finishes of 120 and 124 proved decisive, while a sensational 170 checkout and a ten-dart leg helped him surge into a 3-1 lead. He closed out the match in style with an 11-darter, confirming a landmark victory that will see him become the new Dutch number one after the tournament.
Defending champion Littler also advanced in emphatic fashion, producing a straight-sets victory over Krzysztof Ratajski. The teenager set the tone with a 170 checkout to steal the opening set, then rattled off seven consecutive legs to seize full control. Although Ratajski showed resistance in the fourth set, missed chances proved costly as Littler capitalised ruthlessly to seal progression.
Littler now faces Ryan Searle, who reached his first World Championship semi-final after defeating fifth seed Jonny Clayton 5-2. Searle stormed into a 3-0 lead, punishing Clayton’s missed doubles and extending his remarkable run of sets won in the tournament. Clayton briefly halted the momentum, but a crucial 111 checkout in set five allowed Searle to reassert himself and close out a career-defining win.
The final quarter-final saw two-time champion Gary Anderson end the impressive run of debutant Justin Hood with a 5-2 victory. Anderson took control early before Hood struck back with clinical finishing to stay in touch. However, the Scot produced a devastating late surge, winning nine of the final ten legs and reeling off a string of ton-plus checkouts to secure his eighth World Championship semi-final appearance.
The semi-finals take place on Friday evening, with Littler facing Searle in the opening match before Van Veen meets Anderson in a blockbuster second clash at Ally Pally.
