Deta Hedman starts march towards elusive BDO World Championship title

Deta Hedman got off to an ideal start at the BDO World Championship, seeing off qualifier Rachna David 2-0 at the Lakeside.

Hedman, the three-time losing finalist and Finder Italian Grand Masters winner, reaches another quarter-final as she bids to end a bizarre run in the biggest tournament of them all. The top seed did not make too impressive a start, with Norwegian international David outscoring her significantly. But a nervy David lost all confidence on the doubles, and ended up in the madhouse. With a host of darts missed by David to win the leg, the Dark Destroyer stepped in to go 1-0 up. An almost apologetic Hedman then made it 2-0 after missing double 16 for a 134 checkout, and sealed the set in the fourth leg after David claimed the third.
That leg was to be the only one claimed by David; Hedman outscored and out-finished her young opponent on the big stage. Despite missing more darts at ton-plus checkouts, the Dark Destroyer checked out with unerring consistency. But David had her chances, including missing tops for a 100 finish after starting on treble 19. David faltered every time the finish line was in sight but the pride of the Post Office delivered, closing out the second set 3-0. Deta will face Sharon Prins or Maria O'Brien in the quarter-finals.
"As I always say: if I throw the last dart, then I'm happy with that," said a pleased Hedman afterwards.