Female darts star Beau Graves, 21, almost causes HUGE upset at World Championship – as opponent Daryl Gurney tips her for stardom
Female darts star Beau Greaves almost caused an almighty upset against Daryl Gurney at Alexandra Palace on Friday night.
Greaves, 21, has gained traction in the sport over recent years for her incredible performances in the women’s game, where she is world No 1.
Greaves has also competed in the men’s game, where she is becoming a darting trailblazer, and this was just her second appearance at the World Championship after her debut at the 2023 tournament.
And it was almost an incredible night for Greaves as she took world No 22 Gurney all the way.
After going 1-0 down at Ally Pally, Greaves hit back in the second set, which she won with a 10-dart leg.
Gurney, who is from Northern Ireland, pushed himself back in front in the third set, before Greaves took it to a deciding one.
Beau Greaves almost caused a huge upset against Daryl Gurney at the World Championship
Gurney ultimately triumphed 3-1 to pick up a 3-2 victory, although not before missing four match darts.
And, after his win, the Northern Irishman was quick to pay tribute to the 21-year-old.
‘For me she is the best woman darts player on the planet,’ he said. ‘If there’s going to be a (female) darts player who can win the World Championship or a major Championship, that’s the player.
‘Even from a man’s point of view that woman has got some cojones. What a darts player, honestly what a darts player.
‘For me, obviously everyone said she was favourite coming into the game… sometimes I showed my class and composure to get over the finish line.’
Gurney was forced to overcome some heckling from the crowd, who clearly wanted Greaves to win.
He showed his humility at the end of the game when he held the 21-year-old’s hand in the air in front of those in attendance, and bowed down to her on the oche.
Greaves, who had hoped to become the first female player to win at Ally Pally since Fallon Sherrock six years ago, won more legs than Gurney and hit more 180s, but narrowly missed out on a place in the second round.
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Greaves has always been highly-rated after becoming the youngest woman to compete at the World Championship when she was 18, came further into the public consciousness in October when she beat Luke Littler to the PDC World Youth Championship final.
Littler was unsurprisingly widely seen as the favourite for the tournament – which is made up of 16-to-24-year-old men and women – given his dominance at the sport’s top table over recent years.
But it Greaves, who once said she didn’t think she’d be good enough to even share the same oche as Littler, that emerged victorious.
Her win came just a year after the record-breaking star argued that it was ‘silly’ to suggest she could ever compete with the top male darts players.
Greaves, who grew up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said in July 2024: ‘Men’s and ladies darts should be separate. I don’t think any lady will ever go to Ally Pally and win that. If you think that, you’re being silly.
‘I just don’t think we will ever be good enough to play against the likes of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen or Luke Littler.’
She added: ‘When I go to the Grand Slam I don’t look forward to it because I know I have got to play men. I don’t fancy my chances at all – I am just realistic.’
The 21-year-old has previously declined to compete in World Championships over her self-confessed fears that she doesn’t belong on the stage, but tonight’s performance should give her huge confidence.
