Darts returns this Sunday with the Women’s World Matchplay on Sky Sports Arena from 1pm, followed by the World Matchplay Final on Sky Sports Action from 7.30pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm.
Sunday, July 21, 2024, 7:16pm, UK
The 2024 Betfred Women’s World Matchplay gets underway on Sunday with Beau Greaves looking to defend her title in an afternoon of excitement at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
The third edition of the £25,000 event will be held live in the Empress Ballroom. Sky Sports.
The eight-player field will be made up of players from the PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit over the last 12 months, with four former Lakeside Women’s Champions competing in the knockout event.
Top-seeded Greaves won the Women’s World Matchplay on debut 12 months ago, beating Mirai Suzuki and the Doncaster-born dartist will begin her title defence against Ireland’s Katie Sheldon.
Greaves is the most successful player in the history of the PDC Women’s Series, winning an astounding 23 titles over the past two years, including three consecutive victories in 2024.
The 20-year-old became the first woman to win on the Development Tour last month and has cemented her status as one of the sport’s most exciting talents with a string of stellar performances.
“I had a lot of fun last year and I’m looking forward to being on that stage again,” said Greaves, who is hoping to write his own piece of history at the Winter Gardens.
“Winning the title on my debut was a really special moment, especially with all my family watching and I think it took the pressure off me this year.”
“I could have won more women’s titles this year, but winning the Development Tour title was a big moment.
“It’s not easy to win a title so to win one so early in my career is a big achievement and something I’ll never forget so I’m very proud of it.”
“It should be an interesting day. We have a great lineup and I hope everyone can perform to their full potential.”
Fallon Sharrock won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2022 and the Milton Keynes trailblazer will begin her campaign against three-time Lakeside ladies champion Anastasia Dobromyslova.
Sherrock will return to the Winter Garden as the No. 2 seed after an impressive run of form which saw him win two of the first four tournaments this year, with a fourth consecutive title due to be announced later in 2023.
“I think you always have to go into every fight with confidence,” said Sherrock, who is prepared for a tough battle with newcomer Dobromyslova, who will be appearing on television for the first time in more than five years.
“I feel really good. I’ve had some issues over the last few months but they’re all sorted now.”
“I believe the rest of the year will go really well, so why not start by winning the title this weekend?”
“I know Anastasia hasn’t played much on the big stage recently, but she’s very experienced and should never be underestimated.
“Ana is still in control of the match and I expect her to play at her best and I’ll try to respond, but it should be a really exciting match.”
Third seed Lisa Ashton, one of just two players always present in the Women’s World Matchplay along with Sherrock, is also a star of this year’s tournament and will face Leanne O’Sullivan for a place in the last four.
Ashton arrives at the Empress Ballroom as a player in good form in the women’s game, having won consecutive women’s series titles in events 11 and 12 last month.
“We always get great support in Blackpool and it means a lot to have the crowd on your side,” said the Bolton-born veteran.
“The Winter Gardens is such a historic and iconic venue to perform at. The atmosphere is fantastic and I hope to perform to the best of my ability.”
“I’ve put too much pressure on myself the last few years, so this year I’m just going to enjoy it and take it one game at a time.
“These lads are really relentless but I will continue to do my best and hope to add this tournament to my CV as soon as possible!”
The semi-finals and final will be played in the late afternoon, with the winners qualifying for the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts and the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Get ready for the Women’s World Matchplay, live on Sky Sports Arena from 1pm on Sunday
2024 Betfred Women’s World Matchplay
Sunday, July 21
(1) Beau Greaves vs (8) Katie Sheldon
(4) Miku Suzuki vs (5) Noah-Lynn van Leuven
(2) Fallon Sherlock vs (7) Anastasia Dobromyslova
(3) Lisa Ashton vs (6) Leanne O’Sullivan
format
Quarterfinals – Last 7 Legs
Semi-Finals – Best of Nine
Final – Last 11 Leg
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