Quarter-Final Action at Winter Gardens
The Women’s World Matchplay quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens delivered competitive darts, with top seed Beau Greaves and Gemma Hayter securing their spots in the semi-finals. The event also set up a rematch of last year’s final between Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock.
Beau Greaves, considered a leading contender for the title, began her campaign with a strong performance against Kirsi Viinikainen. Greaves opened with a 148 checkout, followed by a 144 to break throw in the second leg. Viinikainen responded with an 80 finish in a 14-darter, but Greaves ultimately closed out the match with a 5-1 victory on her fifth match dart, including her first maximum of the contest in the final leg.
Gemma Hayter faced a close match against Vicky Pruim. Both players had a slow start, with Pruim taking the opener before Hayter, recently crowned Women’s World Masters Champion, leveled the score. Pruim then took a couple of legs, moving closer to the semi-finals. However, Hayter fought back, achieving a 107 checkout to regain momentum. She then secured her semi-final spot in a last-leg decider, setting up a match against Greaves.
Ashton and Sherrock Set for Rematch
Defending champion Lisa Ashton started strongly against Rhian O’Sullivan. Ashton established an early lead with a 14-darter on her throw and a 15-dart break. O’Sullivan responded by winning two consecutive legs to tie the match at 2-2. Ashton then took control, hitting a 120 checkout to move ahead 4-2, eventually winning 5-2 on her ninth match dart. This victory means Ashton will face Fallon Sherrock in a semi-final rematch.
Fallon Sherrock had a dominant performance in her quarter-final match against Deta Hedman, who was making her Matchplay debut. Sherrock quickly doubled her lead with an early break of throw. She extended her advantage with two 13-darters, securing a 5-0 win. Hedman did not have a dart at double during the match. Sherrock will be looking to avenge her defeat in last year’s final against Ashton.
Greaves’ Dominance and Tournament Outlook
Beau Greaves enters the tournament as a strong favourite, having demonstrated significant form over the past year. The Englishwoman has shown consistent performance, particularly in the PDC Women’s Series. Between April 2025 and March 2026, Greaves maintained an unbeaten streak of 114 consecutive matches, securing seventeen successive titles during this period.
Her success extended to the regular PDC Tour, where she made history by becoming the first woman to win a PDC ranking title, claiming Players Championship 11 in April during her first season as a Tour Card holder. Greaves expressed surprise at her rapid success on the ProTour, noting the high quality of play.
Greaves views the Women’s World Matchplay as a significant event, stating that it is a tournament players anticipate and that it benefits the women’s game. She acknowledges the rising standard in women’s darts and expects every opponent to challenge her. Despite this, her consistent performance suggests a clear path to potentially securing her third Women’s World Matchplay title.
The quarter-final results are as follows:
- Beau Greaves 5-1 Kirsi Viinikainen
- Gemma Hayter 5-4 Vicky Pruim
- Lisa Ashton 5-2 Rhian O’Sullivan
- Fallon Sherrock 5-0 Deta Hedman
The semi-final pairings are now set, with Beau Greaves facing Gemma Hayter, and Lisa Ashton competing against Fallon Sherrock.
Source: dartsworld.com
