"Possibly the greatest women's darts player of all time": Sophie McKinlay gives high praise to Lakeside final opponent Beau Greaves
WDF
Sophie McKinlay took down Lerena Rietbergen to continue what has been a dream run on the Lakeside stage this week and she will play in two finals on Sunday. A double World title bid sees her aim to win the girls and women's.
A landmark WDF World Championship debut and one that nearly fell away against Rietbergen but she sensed the nerves of the Dutchwoman and quelled her own doubts to win through.
"The first set I was a bit upset with myself that I was missing chances so the when I took the second set and I came off for the break, I was having a word with myself and thinking just take your chances Sophie and when I won the next set 3-0, I was happy, I was like comfortable and I felt confident. A few missed chances but then I think she maybe got a little nervous and I was just trying to use every emotion to my benefit basically," said McKinlay to Tungsten Tales for WDF.
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Playing in two finals on Sunday, McKinlay spoke after beating Rietbergen with a girls final against Paige Pauling confirmed also soon after and after stating she dreamed of winning a leg, it has exceeded her own wildest dreams.
"It's a dream come true, obviously since I was a little girl I dreamed of playing at Lakeside. When I saw I was drawn against Lisa (Ashton), I thought it was a tough first round but to make it to the final it's way past anything I could've dreamed of."
She was full of praise for Greaves prior to it being confirmed that it was McKinlay v Greaves in said final and she joked that she might need to hit 180's every throw to get near her.
"Beau is possibly the greatest women's darts player of all time in my opinion. Growing up in the youth circuit with Beau, she's a lovely person and the things that she's achieved. I don't think anyone else will reach her level but if I do half as what she's done, I'll be proud of myself."
"I think I'll just need to hit 180's every throw," she joked. "Hit doubles first dart and that's what I think I need to do to beat Beau."
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- Premier League is nothing more now than a pantomime where the crowd turn up and boo at the villain and cheer on the hero while getting pissed out their brains. Basically its the WWE of darts.Mysstree09-01-2025
- Is this the start of an attempt to say that he (Littler) is the best ever as he has won most money. Perhaps adjust all prize money earned by allowing for inflation. If Littler gets close too (does not even have to overtake) both MVG’s and Taylor’s Major titles total then he is in the conversation. Indicates to me that the prize money is skewed to much towards the top players, meritocracy must rule but a fair distribution of the money is needed otherwise its only ever about a select few.Mysstree09-01-2025
- £500 for 3 games seems so steep especially for those that lost 5-0 each time. I used to think Conan Whitehead was going to be a great player and was improving through the BDO but has just fizzled outrichieburnettrocks09-01-2025
- COME ON RICHIE BURNETT Safely through to the final stage an closing in on that card.richieburnettrocks09-01-2025
- It is shocking and unbelievable that 2 Hotty who was always such a decent player, 2 time World Champion and won the Grand Slam when it meant something. He really should have joined the PDC earlier. He has just disappeared off the radar. Such a shame when one of your favourite players just dissappears. I guess he is concentrating on the carpentry. I made a sign at Lakeside which must have been the biggest ever. It said we're potty for 2 Hotty, each word was on its own flip chart sheet of paper and gaffer taped together. Maybe Scotty should return to the WDF or whatever it is now.richieburnettrocks09-01-2025
- What the hell has happened to Scott Waites, didn’t even win a point.Mysstree08-01-2025
- One mistake is often followed by another, and the PDC have compounded their unimaginative PL picks with a doppelganger cast for the World Series. What an opportunity missed. It hurts the overburdened eight, it hurts the overlooked, it hurts the fans. Who gains? No one I can think of, not even the PDC shareholders.
UndartedWaters08-01-2025 - No, I wasn't expecting Heta to be in it either having won nothing of any significance. Although he is charismatic and has personality unlike the boring and dull as dishwater Dobey. It is quite pathetic and desperate the way Bunting and Arsepinall pander to the crowd to dance to their walk on music, that has worked though. I would like to see more players involved on a weekly basis similar to the Modus Super Series. A knockout tournament with 16 winners from each week. The Premier league is too boring with the same players. Plus it would eliminate all the whining and booing from unselected players.richieburnettrocks07-01-2025
- Why is World Champion Richie Burnett not highlighted in bold font nor 2 time World Champion Scotty 2 Hotty. COME ON RICHIE BURNETT AND SCOTTY 2 HOTTY Although where the hell has 2 HOTTY been the past year!richieburnettrocks07-01-2025
- It's not tennis, snooker or golf, nobody mentioned Fallon,great as she is. Beau beats her week in,week out. But she isn't interested. If you want to include crowd pleasers,get Les Wallace back!!! He was a world champion,and wore a kilt!!!rick6707-01-2025