"I was absolutely awful the first few rounds but I just kept grinding out results" - Robyn Byrne shows battling qualities to win second career Women's Series event

PDC
Wednesday, 11 September 2024 at 12:00
robyn byrne r1 womens world matchplay 3
Robyn Byrne managed to win the 20th tournament of the PDC Women's Series 2024 last weekend. In the final, the 27-year-old Irishwoman was too strong for Lorraine Winstanley, taking a 5-2 win.
For Byrne, it's her second success on the PDC circuit. She also won a Women's Series tournament last year and, with her win last Sunday, is only the seventh player in the short history of the Women's Series, to manage to win two or more tournaments since the inception of the tour.
The 27-year-old emerged from battles with Jan Robbins and Aurora Fochesato early on, before the coming back from 3-1 down against Vicky Pruim. Picking up momentum, Byrne then followed up a 5-1 thrashing of Lisa Ashton in the quarter-finals with a first ever win over Fallon Sherrock to reach the final, where as mentioned, she overcame Lorraine Winstanley.
"I can't even describe how I feel. If you had asked me beforehand I'd win today, I'd probably have said no! I was absolutely awful the first few rounds but I just kept grinding out results," she reflected afterwards in conversation with Abigail Davies. "Obviously I am extremely satisfied with this title, even though I didn't reach my best level. A few years ago I would never have won such a tournament, it shows how much progress I have made mentally."
Robyn Byrne in action at the 2023 Women's World Matchplay
Robyn Byrne in action at the 2023 Women's World Matchplay
Byrne defeated Fallon Sherrock in the semifinals, it was only the first time in 13 duels at the Women's Series that she managed to win over the Englishwoman. "I didn't even know I'd lost to her that often," Byrne laughed.
The Irish failed to qualify for the Women's World Matchplay this year. "That hurt a lot. On the other hand, it also motivated me to work even harder, spend even more hours at the practice board. I definitely want to be at the Women's World Matchplay again next year. But first my focus will be on the remaining Women's Series tournaments this year, after all, I definitely want to win one more."