On Sunday afternoon, the 2024 Women's World Matchplay will be played at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Will Beau Greaves manage to defend her title or will we get another winner? Read our preview for the 2024 Women's World Matchplay right here!
We are already into the third edition of the PDC's most prestigious event for the ladies. In 2022, Fallon Sherrock won the inaugural edition of the Women's World Matchplay, before Greaves crowned herself the winner in 2023.
Follow the Women's World Matchplay 2024 via our LIVE SCORE!
Who are the eight participants?
The field of participants for the Women's World Matchplay consists of eight players. The eight best players at the Women's Series over the past 12 months have been invited. Because Aileen de Graaf had opted out due to a pre planned holiday, the number nine on the Order of Merit has advanced to the lineup.
Beau Greaves
There is one standout favourite for the title at the Women's World Matchplay and that, of course, is Beau Greaves. 'Beau 'n' Arrow' also leads this year's Women's Series Order of Merit again, but is a lot less dominant than in past seasons. For now, Greaves has won only three of the 12 Women's Series tournaments, but at the same time has been in the final eight times.
Fallon Sherrock
One of Greaves' big challengers is Fallon Sherrock, who, like her rival, has already secured a spot on this tournament's honour roll. The "Queen of the Palace" initially started the new Women's Series season well with two titles in the opening weekend, but managed to reach the final only once in the last eight Women's Series tournaments. She lost that one 5-0 to Greaves.
Lisa Ashton must always be reckoned with at the women's tournaments. 'The Lancashire Rose' can still win over anyone on her, but the four-time women's world champion seems to have those days a little less often now. In the last tournament weekend of the Women's Series prior to this tournament however, the 53-year-old Ashton did show her class by winning two tournaments in a row.
Like last year, Mikuru Suzuki is also back in the Winter Gardens. The 42-year-old Japanese is the only non-European participant in the tournament. What is true for Ashton, actually fits Suzuki a bit as well. 'The Miracle' can win over all the top players, but her 'B-game' is a bit lower than Greaves and Sherrock. At the Women's Series tournaments, Suzuki is actually always in the mix. She also won two tournaments at the Women's Series this season.
Last year Noa-Lynn van Leuven competed for experience in Blackpool, this year Van Leuven can make a serious bid for the title. The Dutch darter has already achieved some milestones this year. She won a tournament on the Challenge Tour and booked two tournament victories on the Women's Series. In addition, Van Leuven made her debut on the PDC Pro Tour as a substitute.
At times a truly excellent player, Rhian O'Sullivan is just too erratic to consistently stand amongst the leading group of women. The Welshwoman managed to win her first - and for now only - title on the PDC Women's Series last year.
Finally we see Anastasia Dobromyslova back on a televised tournament. Dobromyslova is currently not seen much on the ladies circuit because she is suspended from the WDF due to her Russian passport. Within the PDC, however, she is allowed to be in action under a neutral flag. Dobromyslova became ladies' world champion in 2008, 2012 and 2013 and was the poster girl of women's darts at the time. She has since lost that status to women like Greaves and Sherrock.
By a stroke of luck, Katie Sheldon may still compete in the Women's World Matchplay. She moved through because Aileen de Graaf cancelled for this tournament. The 20-year-old Irishwoman was also at this tournament two years ago, but lost in her first match to eventual tournament winner Sherrock. Was in the final of a Women's Series tournament for the second time in her career this year, but had to settle for second place, just like in 2022.
Format
Quarterfinals - Best of 7 legs
Semifinals - Best of 9 legs
Final - Best of 11 legs
How can the tournament be followed?
The rights holders of the World Matchplay may also broadcast the women's edition. In the United Kingdom, the Women's World Matchplay will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
The broadcast begins at 1 p.m. UK time. Then first the four quarter-finals will be played, before the semifinals and finals will also take place later in the afternoon.
Distribution of prize money
The eight contestants are all assured of 1250 pounds of prize money. A win in their first match doubles that amount to £2,500. A final place already earns at least £5,000, while the winner of the Women's World Matchplay 2024 will go home with the top prize of £10,000 in prize money. The prize money won does not count toward the Women's Series Order of Merit, by the way.
Playing schedule Women's World Matchplay 2024
Sunday, July 21 (from 1 p.m.)
Quarterfinals
Beau Greaves v Katie Sheldon
Mikuru Suzuki v Noa-Lynn van Leuven
Fallon Sherrock v Anastasia Dobromyslova
Lisa Ashton v Rhian O'Sullivan
Semi-final
Greaves/Sheldon v Suzuki/Van Leuven
Sherrock/Dobromyslova v Ashton/O'Sullivan
Final
Greaves/Sheldon/Suzuki/Van Leuven v Sherrock/Dobromyslova/Ashton/O'Sullivan
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