Darts World Cup: “Bronzed Adonis” Beaton calls off the Fallon Sherrock party

CAmeron Menzies was rubbing his hands down in the Vip area of ​​Alexandra Palace when his girlfriend made the perfect break on stage. Fallon Sherrock was back in her first round match at the Darts World Championship (daily live on Sport1 and DAZN *) by 1: 2 sets against Steve Beaton, but had just taken the serve to make it 2-0 from the 57-year-old.

It was the moment that could have turned the match. Sherrock won the fourth round to the frenetic cheers of the fans. But in the end there was a narrow 2-3 defeat for the 30-year-old Englishwoman. It was a gender duel, which drew its greatest attraction from comparing two generations. Past and future meet in the present, especially on the largest stage in darts.

“That was the most difficult game of my career,” admitted Beaton, who was accompanied by boos on stage: “I thought it was going to get a lot worse and I’m just glad I got through it.”

Beaton’s 31st World Cup participation may not be his last, given the proven performance, but how things will go on with his compatriot from Milton Keynes is one of the most exciting questions in the World Cup days in London.

The triumphant return of the “Queen of the Palace” to the site of her greatest success was in any case effectively prevented by the “Bronzed Adonis”. Exactly 723 days after the 2: 4 against Chris Dobey, the match with which her fairytale run at the Darts World Cup 2020 was only ended in the third round.

Their victories over Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic had attracted a hitherto unknown level of attention to darts. Sherrock made it into the headlines around the world as the first woman to win a game at the Darts World Cup, and the Professional Darts Corporation would have loved to have brought their new workhorse to the start on a regular basis.

However, since the hairdresser from Milton Keynes failed to qualify for the professional tour in both 2020 and 2021, apart from appearances at invitation tournaments and show events, she only had two options to play herself in the limelight: the Grand Slam and the World Cup, the two major tournaments, in which two starting places are kept ready for women.

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Last year, however, she narrowly failed in the qualification to Lisa Ashton and Deta Hedman, so it took two years before she returned.

The reception was worthy of a queen, the fans celebrated it, as in December 2019, louder and more intense than ever a player before or after her. Tailwind that she used to two quick leg wins.

In retrospect, the fact that she did not use the lead to make it 1-0 by sets should have been the decisive mistake. The 27-year-old gave up the sentence, but then won her throw-off sentence. So it went on until the 2-2.

After Sherrock had secured round four with 3-0, the momentum had switched to their side. After the first two legs to make it 1-1, she was six points better than her opponent in the fifth round with a set average of 95.

Beaton remained stable at the decisive moment thanks to his experience and prevented the decider with the break to 3: 1. “All I want is a beer,” said the “Bronzed Adonis” and praised his opponent: “If she plays like this, she can achieve anything.”

First of all, that would be the tour card for Sherrock after two unsuccessful attempts. To avoid the Q-School in January, it would have taken at least two victories at the World Cup. Authorization for the tour card is no longer possible – or is it?

The discussion that started after her quarter-final suit at the Grand Slam of Darts, whether Sherrock should be given a tour card, has not been answered, nor has the question of whether she will be invited to the Premier League on January 3, the league of ten players in darts. Elite, receives. Four places are assigned via the world rankings, the other six by the PDC, the broadcasting station Sky and the title sponsor.

“Fallon is the flagship for growing and developing women’s darts because it has the potential to inspire a new generation of girls,” PDC Chairman Eddie Hearn recently stated: “Growth in sport always comes from an ambassador and role model. From a commercial point of view, it must be considered for the Premier League. The fans want it, the TV stations want it. “

Statements that Hearn might have hoped for a Sherrock win or two at the World Cup. Their appearance underlined the great sympathy of the audience. The sporting result, however, provided arguments to its critics. It remains exciting.

Darts World Cup, results

1 round:

Maik Kuivenhoven (NED) – Ky Smith (AUS) 3: 1

Jason Heaver (ENG) –Gordon Mathers (AUS) 3-1

Alan Soutar (SCO) – Diogo Portela (BRA) 3:2

Martijn Kleermaker (NED) – John Michael (GRE) 3:1

Florian Hempel (GER) – Martin Schindler (GER) 3: 0

Steve Beaton (ENG) – Fallon Sherrock (ENG) 3:2

2nd round:

Stephen Bunting (ENG/16) – Ross Smith (ENG) 2:3

Jonny Clayton (WAL/8) – Keane Berry (WAL) 3:2

Darts World Cup on Monday, December 20th

8 pm:

1 round

Luke Woodhouse (ENG) – James Wilson (ENG)

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (AUT) – Ben Robb (NZL)

Raymond van Barneveld (NED) – Lourence Ilagan (PHI)

2nd round

James Wade (ENG / 4) – Maik Kuivenhoven (NED)

The complete schedule and the tournament tree can be found here.

*Display: Every viewer has the opportunity to follow the tournament live on the DAZN streaming service. If you don’t have a subscription, you can watch the games for free. DAZN offers all new customers the opportunity to test the offer for one month free of charge. You can cancel the subscription within the first month.