THROWBACK VIDEO: Finalists 2020 Women's World Championship faced each other in first round last year

Remarkably, the two women met each other in the first round last year. At that time, Suzuki was a relatively unknown Japanese qualifier, while Ashton was the defending champion at Lakeside.

The match was won by Suzuki in two sets, before she also claimed her first world title. The Miracle won both sets with 3-2 against the 49-year-old from Bolton.

The Japanese won three of the four previous encounters with The Lancashire Rose. However Ashton claimed the victory in their most recent meeting in May 2019.