Somewhat nicer van test for Spanish writer (9)
I believe the answer is:
cervantes
'spanish writer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'somewhat nicer van test' is the wordplay.
'somewhat' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'CERVANTES' can be found hidden inside 'nicer van test'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for cervantes that I've seen before include "Author of the novel 'Don Quixote'" , "Spanish writer" , "Bookmaker" .)