Beau Greaves staves off Aileen de Graaf fightback to claim second Women's World Championship title at Lakeside

WDF
Sunday, 10 December 2023 at 20:45
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Beau Greaves has been crowned the Women's World Champion at Lakeside for the second time in her career. The 19-year-old claimed a dominant 4-1 victory over Aileen de Graaf, staving off a late fightback from the Dutchwoman.

Despite a somewhat nervous start, Greaves held throw in the opening leg on double 10 in 20 darts. With the 19-year-old missing four darts to break in leg 2 though, de Graaf was able to get herself on the board. Nailing the double 16 first attempt in leg 3 seemed to settle Greaves and firing in the matches first 180 en route, the reigning champion cleaned up the opening set.

Beginning to find her rhythm, Greaves raced through the second set with legs of 13, 15 and 19, with de Graaf limited to just a single dart at the bullseye in the set.

De Graaf failed to punish a miss from Greaves in the opening leg of set 3, missing two for the leg herself, although she did hold in leg 2, offering some form of resistance. That continued with a 17-dart break of throw in the third leg, followed by a big roar from the Dutchwoman. Sadly for de Graaf though, she was unable to capitalise on this slight opening, as Greaves rallied to take the last two legs and move 3-0 up in sets.

When Greaves opened up the fourth set with a break of throw, it seemed a precession would be on the cards. Fair play to de Graaf however, she broke straight back in the following leg. Holding throw in the following leg, de Graaf took two legs on the bounce for the first time in the contest. A few moments later, she completed the set and it was seemingly game on once again.

All de Graaf seemed to have done however, was poked the bear. To start the fifth set, 'Beau n Arrow' came roaring, quickly taking a two-leg lead in just 32 darts before sealing the win and the world title on double 12.

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