Beau Greaves has won the Women’s World Matchplay for the third time after coming through a thrilling last-leg decider to beat Fallon Sherrock.<\/p>\n
The top seed was not at her best but, having been pushed all the way by Sherrock, held her nerve to secure a 6-5 win at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.<\/p>\n
It is a third Matchplay title in four years for Greaves but having let a 5-3 lead slip, the 22-year-old was under pressure when Sherrock hit a 180 in the decider.<\/p>\n
But the 22-year-old hit back with a maximum of her own and followed it up with a 145 set-up before taking out 56 to seal the win.<\/p>\n
“I’m not one to celebrate but I just felt the relief after winning,” Greaves told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
“To hit that last dart was just an outpouring of relief. I am just so happy to win.<\/p>\n
“I was nervous. That kind of pressure is a privilege – I am doing well and playing well. I didn’t think I played my A-game, but just to win and get over it is such a massive thing. It is a terrific night.”<\/p>\n
Doncaster’s Greaves came in as the clear favourite but having breezed through her quarter-final, found herself in trouble in the semis.<\/p>\n
Gemma Hayter took her to another deciding leg but Greaves came through in style against the darts, producing a 104 checkout to reach the final.<\/p>\n
By contrast, Sherrock dropped only one leg en route to the trophy match and took out defending champion Lisa Ashton in the semi-final, winning 5-1.<\/p>\n
However, for the third year running she came up just short in the final as a first Women’s Matchplay title since the inaugural tournament in 2022 continues to elude her.<\/p>\n
For three-time women’s world champion Greaves, though, it is another major triumph in what has already been a year to remember.<\/p>\n
In April, she became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title<\/a> when she beat Michael Smith.<\/p>\n