Gian van Veen has a point to prove today. He’s the world No.7 but has yet to win a single World Championship match.

The Dutchman, though, believes he can kickstart something special if he beats Cristo Reyes later today.

“I have grown so much this year as a player. The first year was heartbreak, losing to Man Lok Leung. Last year I didn’t perform at all against Ricardo Pietreczko, so I still haven’t won a game there yet,” Van Veen said.

“But as I said, I have grown so much, I am much more confident this year. I’m really looking forward to getting back to Ally Pally to hopefully put that right, what I didn’t do the last two years.

“Hopefully have a great run there as well. As soon as I get my first win, the pressure is off my shoulders, and then hopefully I can get many more wins.

“People are probably going to expect me to get to the last 16 or quarter-finals, but for me it’s just winning my first game, and then make it to Christmas, then hopefully make it into New Year.

“It is a big tournament, lots of weeks of darts, so I am just setting mini-goals for myself and hopefully I can achieve them.”