Fallon Sherrock fell at the first hurdle of the PDC World Darts Championship as she lost in the first round to veteran Steve Beaton at Alexandra Palace in London.
Sunday 19th December results
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Maik Kuivenhoven 3-1 Ky Smith (R1)
Jason Heaver 3-1 Gordon Mathers (R1)
Alan Soutar 3-2 Diogo Portela (R1)
Ross Smith 3-2 Stephen Bunting (R2)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Martijn Kleermaker 3-1 John Michael (R1)
Florian Hempel 3-0 Martin Schindler (R1)
Steve Beaton 3-2 Fallon Sherrock (R1)
Jonny Clayton 3-2 Keane Barry (R2)
Monday 20th December Order of Play
Luke Woodhouse v James Wilson (R1)
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez v Ben Robb (R1)
Raymond van Barneveld v Lourence Ilagan (R1)
James Wade v Maik Kuivenhoven (R2)
The fan favourite made history at the Ally Pally two years ago as she reached the third round, but the 27-year-old could not keep Beaton at bay on Sunday night.
Both players showed their class in an entertaining game, but Sherrock’s failure to hold her throw cost her dearly as Beaton broke her in the last leg to claim a 3-2 win.
Beaton, the 1996 Lakeside champion, plays Kim Huybrechts in round two, and he admitted after the match that it was one of the hardest games he has ever played in.
He told reporters: “That was one of the hardest games I’ve ever had to deal with, and I’ve had some really hard games through the years.
“Fallon played really well; she didn’t let me go at all. She’s just relentless. I started off so well, but then I let it slip, and I thought she was going to get me.
“These are the games you want to play in. I still love the game, and I’m getting paid to do something I enjoy.”
Earlier in the day, Wales’ Jonny Clayton (13/2 – to win the World Championship) came back from 2-1 behind to beat Ireland’s Keane Barry 3-2.
Clayton secured his spot in the third round after a high-quality affair, with the game setting a new record of 10 ton-plus finishes in a five-set match.
In the afternoon session, 16th seed Stephen Bunting became the second seed to fall after he lost 3-2 to Ross Smith.
Those in attendance on Monday will get the chance to watch fan favourite Raymond van Barneveld as he takes on Lourence Ilagan (Van Barneveld 2/7, Ilagan 13/5), while James Wade tackles Maik Kuivenhoven in the second round.
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