Beau Greaves continued to break new ground in professional darts when she became the first female competitor to claim a win on the PDC European Tour. Her triumph over Daryl Gurney secured a second‑round encounter with world No. 2 Luke Humphries at the Czech Darts Open in Prague, marking another historic chapter in her rapidly rising career.
The 22‑year‑old Englishwoman mounted a remarkable comeback after trailing 3‑1, eventually prevailing 6‑4. The win not only propelled her into the last‑32 stage on Saturday evening but also set up a potential clash with Humphries, with the victor slated to face either Nathan Aspinall or Andrew Gilding in the third round on Sunday afternoon.
Greaves’ resilience under pressure was evident as she steadied her nerves, hit a decisive double one and sealed the match, demonstrating the composure usually reserved for the sport’s seasoned veterans. This achievement follows a string of firsts for Greaves earlier in the year.
In February she recorded the inaugural nine‑dart finish by a woman on the PDC Pro Tour, doing so against Mensur Suljovic. A few months later she captured her first PDC ranking title, edging out Michael Smith 8‑7 at Players Championship 11.
She also became the first woman to qualify for a European Tour event when she reached the Hungarian Darts Trophy last month. Although she fell to Rob Cross in the opening round in Budapest—despite posting an impressive 104 average—her performance in Prague shows that she is quickly closing the gap with the sport’s elite. After the match, Greaves reflected on the experience: "It feels amazing. It's just so nice to win a game, I was so nervous at the start, I don't know why.
It took me so long to get settled. It means loads to me, the crowd's fantastic.
It's such a tight stage and you feel so much from the crowd. I'm really enjoying it and loving the experience." Her comments underline how the atmosphere in Prague—packed with enthusiastic fans and a buzzing stage—provided both motivation and a slight edge of anxiety that she managed to overcome.
The victory also highlighted her tactical adaptability. Gurney had opened the match strongly, even producing a 144 checkout that had previously helped him defeat Greaves at Alexandra Palace during the 2026 World Championship. Greaves, however, responded with three consecutive legs completed in 14, 13 and 11 darts, showcasing a blend of precision and mental fortitude that turned the tide.
Looking ahead, Greaves will meet Luke Humphries, a player she first faced on the big stage at the 2025 UK Open. She acknowledged the challenge, stating, "I've played Luke on the big stage before so I know what to expect, he's world class so I'm going to have to play a lot better than I did tonight.
What more do you want than on a Euro Tour to play one of the best players in the world? I'll look forward to it and I'll be ready." The prospect of testing her skills against a top‑ranked opponent adds another layer of excitement to her historic run.
Other notable storylines from Friday's action included Niko Springer’s dominant 6‑0 demolition of Martin Homola, which earned him a second‑round showdown with world No. 1 Luke Littler.
Springer, confident and unfazed, said, "I have nothing to lose to be honest. I'm feeling very confident. Of course it will be hard, but it's best of 11, so let's go, I'm ready." The day also saw several high‑profile exits: Joe Cullen, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Rob Cross were all knocked out by Stephen Burton, Mario Vandenbogaerde and Keane Barry respectively, underscoring the depth of competition on the tour. Luke Humphries, who received a bye into the second round as one of the 16 seeded players, is a two‑time defending champion at the Czech Darts Open.
He dispatched Kim Huybrechts 8‑1 in the 2024 final and overcame Josh Rock 8‑5 last year, earning the nickname "Cool Hand" for his calm, methodical play. He now aims for a third consecutive title, a feat he has yet to achieve but is within reach given his recent form. Other seeded players set to appear in Prague include Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, who will face Mario Vandenbogaerde and Callan Rydz respectively on Saturday night.
Their matches promise to add further drama to a tournament already brimming with historic moments. The event’s schedule is split into two sessions each day: an afternoon slot at 12:00 BST and an evening slot at 18:00 BST, ensuring fans worldwide can catch the action live. Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts, delivering coverage of marquee events such as the World Grand Prix (28 September–4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14–22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December–3 January).
For viewers who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live darts without a contract, providing flexible access to all the excitement. Greaves’ breakthrough at the Czech Darts Open not only adds another line to her growing list of firsts but also signals a shift in the sport’s landscape. As more women achieve success on traditionally male‑dominated stages, the barrier between genders continues to erode, paving the way for a more inclusive future. Whether she ultimately defeats Humphries or falls short, Beau Greaves has already cemented her status as a trailblazer, inspiring the next generation of female darts players to aim for the highest echelons of the game.