"I'm hoping there's one more major title in there!" - Lisa Ashton ready for another crack at Women's World Matchplay glory

In Blackpool today, not only will the final of the 2024 World Matchplay be played, but this afternoon the Women's World Matchplay will also take place. Lisa Ashton will take on Rhian O'Sullivan in her opening match.

Ashton underwent arm surgery late last year, so she is pleased to be able to participate in this tournament. "I'm happy to be back here again," she previewed of the tournament in conversation with Online Darts. "I'm just going to enjoy it. Like I've said before, after what I've been through with the operation, I'm just so happy to have qualified and to get here again."

'The Lancashire Rose' also praises the whole format of the Women's World Matchplay. "It's brilliant," she says glowingly. ''The women's game couldn't be any better thanks to the opportunities we get and the more that the PDC are offering us. We can't ask for anything better for the ladies darts."

Ashton's last major title however, dates all the way back to 2019, when she managed to win the World Masters. "I'm hoping there's one more major title in there!" Ashton says. "That would mean everything. That's another massive trophy and absolutely I'd love to take that trophy and put it on my CV, that would be another milestone. At my age, there's not much time that I have got left I don't think, so yeah, that would mean a lot to me."

Ashton is already qualified for the WDF World Championship at the Lakeside, but can still qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace. A difficult choice may then present itself with players only allowed to compete in one or the other. "Hopefully I have to make that decision. I just want to keep winning. But what that choice will be? I haven't thought that far ahead just yet," Ashton concluded.