‘Echelons of Littler’ – Beau Greaves’ rival fires ominous warning after falling agonisingly short of six-year World Championship first

Beau Greaves has been tipped to win a PDC title next year after falling just short of history at the World Darts Championship.

The 21-year-old star was denied the chance to become the first woman to win at the tournament since 2019 in agonising fashion.

Getty

Greaves was beaten by World No.22 Daryl Gurney in a five-set thriller at Alexandra Palace on Friday night.

She had the fans on her side at Ally Pally as she attempted to make history, but it wasn’t to be as Gurney stepped up under pressure.

The last female player to win a match in the tournament was Fallon Sherrock six years ago, when she beat Ted Evetts.

And the dominant women’s champion was on the brink of emulating that, leading 1-0 in the tense deciding set.

However, she was unable to get over the line and after the game was complete, Gurney bowed in front of her in respect.

Speaking post-match, the Northern Irishman, who will now take on Callan Rydz in the second round, piled praise on the darts sensation.

He said: “For me, she’s the best women’s darts player on the planet. What a dart player, honestly, what a dart player.

“I said to Beau at the end, ‘The only thing that separated us was the 144.’ All this crowd in here should respect Beau Greaves because next year she will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Gurney referenced the 144, which did seem to decide the game, as he hit the huge checkout in the final leg.

He went on to miss two match darts, before Greaves missed one herself, but he returned to win the match with a double eight.

Getty

Tipped for PDC success

Speaking to talkSPORT post-match, Gurney continued to praise Greaves and fired a warning to all darts stars on tour.

Putting the rising superstar in the same conversation as Luke Littler, he said: “Very glad to get over this game, Beau Greaves, class player, for me, she will win a PDC tournament next year.

“She could win a European or pro tour, 100 per cent, she will win one, she’s so good.

“I put her in the echelons of Luke Littler. I think she just needs to be in the PDC, mentally stronger, better.

“I think she will be a force to be reckoned with next year.

“She played well tonight, but next year she’ll be even better when she’s got a year on the pro tour.”

Getty

Agonisingly close

Greaves bowed out of the World Darts Championship in the first round despite putting in an incredible performance.

She hit more 180s than Gurney and won more legs than her opponent, as well as having a better doubles percentage.

But it wasn’t enough to get the job done and progress.

Gurney won the opening set and the third, before Greaves stormed to a 3-0 win in the fourth to set up a tense finish.

She began the deciding set in the best way possible with her sixth and seventh 180 of the match, but was then pegged back.

Gurney took out 80 to level the set at 1-1, before superbly checking out a 144 to put him in position to secure victory.

He then threw for the match but missed the chance – luckily though, he was able to get another chance and took it.

The World No.22 will now take on Rydz in the second round on Tuesday, December 23 at 12:30pm.

Rydz beat Patrik Kovacs 3-0 on Thursday evening to go through.