Preview Women's World Matchplay 2024: Will Beau Greaves live up to her favourite tag again in Blackpool?
PDC
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!
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
ADVERTISEMENT
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
ADVERTISEMENT
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
ADVERTISEMENT
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026
