Beau Greaves clinched her third Women's World Matchplay crown in a nail‑biting 6‑5 last‑leg triumph over Fallon Sherrock at Blackpool's historic Winter Gardens. After Sherrock surged ahead to level the match, Greaves steadied herself with a decisive 180, followed by an elegant 145 checkout that left her needing just 56 to finish the contest. She calmly hit double 10 to seal the victory, adding another milestone to her already impressive résumé.

This win marks Greaves' third Matchplay title, following her successes in 2023 and 2024. The final was a repeat of the 2024 showdown, where Greaves also emerged victorious, this time by a 6‑3 margin.

Her achievements this season have been nothing short of groundbreaking: she became the first woman to capture a Pro Tour event at Players Championship 11, recorded a nine‑dart finish on the Tour, and broke new ground as the inaugural female qualifier for the European Tour. Sherrock, meanwhile, endured her third consecutive runner‑up finish at the Women's Matchplay, having lost to Greaves in both 2024 and 2026 and to Lisa Ashton in 2025.

Reflecting on the match, Greaves told Sky Sports, "I'm not one to celebrate, but there was a huge sense of relief at the end. Fallon is a fantastic competitor and an even better darts player. I knew I had to stay sharp, and hitting that final dart was a massive release of tension." She added, "I'm just thrilled to win.

Playing against the women feels different now because I'm competing with the men as well. I'm delighted to take the title." The encounter was billed as a clash between the two most accomplished figures in women's darts, and it lived up to the hype. Sherrock opened the final brightly, breaking Greaves' throw in the third leg.

Greaves responded instantly, drawing level at 2‑2 and then delivering a spectacular 120 checkout in a 12‑dart leg to take the lead. From that point onward, the match turned into a tightly contested back‑and‑forth battle. In the pivotal eighth leg, Greaves secured a crucial break of throw by finishing on double two, bringing her within a single leg of the championship.

Sherrock, however, refused to surrender. She produced a series of high scores that left her on 36 after just nine darts and then claimed an 11‑dart break of throw, followed by a classy 70 checkout on double 16 to force a deciding leg.

When the final leg arrived, Greaves displayed her trademark brilliance. She began with a maximum 180 and then followed with a smooth 145 checkout, leaving herself with 56 points.

A calm double‑10 sealed the match and handed her the trophy for the third time. Greaves' path to the final was anything but easy. In the quarter‑finals she edged past Gemma Hayter 5‑4 in a tense battle.

After a slow start, Hayter leveled the match at 2‑2 with a break of throw and later seized another break with an 83 checkout on double 16, pushing the encounter to a last‑leg decider. Greaves rose to the occasion, hitting a massive 104 checkout to clinch her spot in the semi‑finals. In the semi‑finals, Greaves dominated Kirsi Viinikainen 5‑1, opening with a 148 checkout and then a 144, establishing early momentum that proved too much for her opponent.

Meanwhile, Sherrock continued her impressive run, dispatching Deta Hedman 5‑0 in the quarter‑finals with two consecutive 13‑dart legs, leaving Hedman with no chance to retaliate. Other notable performances included Hayter's comeback from 4‑2 down to defeat Vicky Pruim in a last‑leg shootout, and Lisa Ashton’s solid 5‑2 victory over Welsh No. 1 Rhian O’Sullivan, highlighted by a 120 checkout and a decisive ninth match dart.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will continue at the iconic Winter Gardens on Sunday night, featuring defending champion Luke Littler against Gerwyn Price for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy. Fans can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream it via NOW.

Greaves summed up her feelings about the sport, saying, "I love my life. I love playing darts. I'm addicted to it in a way, and I’m proud to support the women's game.

My goal is simply to keep improving and play better every day."