"Finally, my first final on the Lakeside stage" - Aileen de Graaf one win away from achieving her dream

After years of repeated heartbreak, Aileen de Graaf has finally made to the World Championship final at Lakeside following a 3-1 win over Lisa Ashton in the semi-finals on Saturday.

"It feels amazing. Finally, my first final on the Lakeside stage," said a delighted de Graaf in her post-match interview. Having reached the semi-finals twice previously, losing to Trina Gulliver in 2016 and Lisa Ashton in 2017, the Dutchwoman is now just one win away from crowning herself the world champion.

Just as she's been made to fight for wins over Nicole Regnaud, Lorraine Winstanley and Lisa Ashton to reach the final, de Graaf also had obstacles to overcome pre-tournament. "I was just happy to be here at Lakeside. The travelling and this illness I had was really bad," reveals the 33-year-old. "But that's darts. Even if you're ill, you never know, you can still win some games. So yeah, I'm really happy with a place in the final."

"I wasn't feeling like I was one step infront of her or something. It was really close. The last couple of games, Lisa was missing some darts and I said to my friends and my wife, 'she never going to miss against me.' And you saw today, she was giving me a hard time," de Graaf reflects on the match.

Things don't get any easier for de Graaf from here. In the final, she has to face off against the all-conquering Beau Greaves. The 19-year-old sensation has reached the final dropping just two legs in the whole tournament. "I'll just do the same. Just have a good sleep, practice and we will see."