We’re back for the World Matchplay which takes place at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 15-23 as 32 of the world’s top stars battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy – live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 25/06/23 6:27pm
Fallon Sherrock will face legend Lisa Ashton in the Women’s Matchplay as she begins her title defense
Fallon Sherrock will begin her defense of the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay with a thrilling showdown against Lisa Ashton, after the eight-player line-up for next month’s event was confirmed on Sunday.
The second leg of the £25,000 event will be held on the afternoon of Sunday July 23 at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, shown live on Sky Sports.
Eight of the sport’s top female stars will battle it out for the £10,000 top prize in a bumper afternoon at the Empress Ballroom, with five different countries represented in the knockout tournament.
The field is made up of the top eight players from the one-year Order of Merit based on PDC Women’s Series earnings in 20 tournaments since August, and teenage sensation Beau Greaves will make the his Blackpool bow as top seed.
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Matthew Edgar feels there have been too many distractions from darts for Fallon Sherrock recently, while Abi Davies believes his contribution to the game has been unparalleled.
The 19-year-old has dominated the Women’s Series circuit for the past 12 months, winning 15 of the last 20 events to build a commanding lead at the top of the rankings.
Greaves’ remarkable haul of titles includes an astonishing 70-match winning run from August 2022 to February 2023, and he warmed up for his debut at the Winter Gardens by celebrating a hat- trick win in Hildesheim at the weekend.
The Doncaster darter will begin her campaign against Dutch debutant Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who reached the Event 12 final to leapfrog last year’s Blackpool semi-finalist Lorraine Winstanley and secure qualification in the final round.
Beau Greaves has had a meteoric rise over the last 12 months
Elsewhere, Japan’s Mikuru Suzuki will make her Women’s World Matchplay debut as the second seed, having featured in nine Women’s Series finals in the past 12 months.
Suzuki has secured two Women’s Series titles in 2023, and the former World Darts Championship qualifier will open her challenge against last year’s Women’s World Matchplay runner-up Aileen de Graaf in a thrilling last-eight clash.
Reigning champion Sherrock will begin her bid for back-to-back Blackpool titles against four-time Women’s World Champion Ashton, in a blockbuster clash between two of the sport’s biggest names.
Sherrock ended a 12-month wait for a Women’s Series title with success in the Tens Event on Saturday, and she will face Lancashire veteran Ashton – this year’s sixth seed – in a star-studded opener.
The other quarter-final clash pits Ireland’s Robyn Byrne against Wales’ Rhian O’Sullivan, after both players celebrated Women’s Series titles earlier this year to seal their debuts at the event. .
Event Seven winner Byrne – the fourth seed in this year’s showpiece – has appeared in three Women’s Series finals in 2023, while O’Sullivan dethroned Greaves to win Event Six last month.
The winner of the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay will qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts in November and the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, while July’s champion will also take the £10,000 top prize.
2023 Betfred Women’s World Matchplay
Sunday July 23
Draw a Bracket
(1) Beau Greaves v (8) Noa-Lynn van Leuven
(4) Robyn Byrne v (5) Rhian O’Sullivan
(2) Mikuru Suzuki v (7) Aileen de Graaf
(3) Fallon Sherrock v (6) Lisa Ashton
Format
Quarter-Finals – Best of seven legs
Semi-Finals – Best of nine legs
Final – Best of 11 legs
Prize Money
Winner: £10,000
Runner-Up: £5,000
Semi-Finalist: £2,500
Quarter-Finalist: £1,250
Total: £25,000
