Eight ladies will compete for the title at the Women's World Matchplay 2024 in Blackpool on Sunday afternoon. Will Beau Greaves succeed herself as the winner, or will we get another winner?
We are already into the third edition of the PDC's most prestigious event for women. In 2022, Fallon Sherrock won the first edition of the Women's World Matchplay, then Greaves crowned herself the winner in 2023.
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Beau Greaves v Katie Sheldon
There is only one big favorite for the title at the Women's World Matchplay and that, of course, is Beau Greaves. 'Beau 'n' Arrow' again leads this year's Women's Series Order of Merit, but is a lot more 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.
By a stroke of luck, Katie Sheldon may still compete in the Women's World Matchplay. She moved on because Aileen de Graaf canceled 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. This year she reached the final of a Women's Series tournament for the second time in her career, but had to settle for second place, just like in 2022.
In recent years, Greaves and Sheldon met four times at the Women's Series. These duels were all won convincingly by Greaves, who lost a total of only four legs to Sheldon.
Mikuru Suzuki v Noa-Lynn van Leuven
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 goes for Ashton actually fits Suzuki a bit as well. 'The Miracle' can win from 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 top. 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 have a serious shot at the title. The player from Heemskerk 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.
It will be the sixth time the two players have faced each other. The first four confrontations were all won by Suzuki, but the last time Van Leuven won 5-4.
Fallon Sherrock v Anastasia Dobromyslova
One of Greaves' big challengers is Fallon Sherrock, who, like her rival, has already secured a spot on this tournament's honor 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.
Finally, we see Anastasia Dobromyslova back at a television tournament. Dobromyslova is currently not seen much on the women's circuit because she has been suspended from the WDF due to her Russian passport. At the PDC, however, she is allowed to compete under a neutral flag. Dobromyslova became women's 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.
Sherrock and Dobromyslova met only once on the women's circuit of the PDC. That was in 2021, the second year of the Women's Series. That encounter was won 5-1 by Sherrock.
Lisa Ashton v Rhian O'Sullivan
Lisa Ashton must always be reckoned with at the women's tournaments. 'The Lancashire Rose' can still win over anyone, but the four-time women's world champion has also been able to lose to more and more players lately. At the final tournament weekend of the Women's Series prior to this tournament, the 53-year-old Ashton did show her class by winning two tournaments in a row.
At times an excellent player, but Rhian O'Sullivan is just too shaky to definitely join the leading group of women. The Welshwoman managed to win her first - and, for now, only - title at the PDC Women's Series last year.
These two players have met quite often at the Women's Series, but these duels generally did not end well for O'Sullivan. Indeed, Ashton won thirteen of the fourteen previous encounters.
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 UK, it will be Sky Sports.
The broadcast begins at 1 p.m. 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
Finale
Greaves/Sheldon/Suzuki/Van Leuven v Sherrock/Dobromyslova/Ashton/O'Sullivan
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