Does Sherrock live up to expectations?
When are women competitive in darts? This question occupied experts for many years and was finally answered by Fallon Sherrock at the latest. The young Englishwoman was the first lady to win the World Championship at Alexandra Palace in London and threw Ted Evetts out of the tournament in 2020. She then finally became the “Queen of the Palace” by defeating Austrian Mensur Suljovic.
In the meantime she has established herself on the tour and returns on Sunday to the place of her biggest success so far. She faces a real veteran star in her opening match – Steve Beaton. “Bronzed Adonis” has been far from matching his previous successes this year and is therefore being treated as an underdog by the bookmakers.
Between Steve Beaton and Fallon Sherrock, the odds are just over 2.0 on the 27-year-old’s side, while there’s a 1.80 in the Queen’s tip on offer. The encounter will take place in Sunday’s Evening Session and will kick off at around 22:00 German time.
Steve Beaton – Statistics & current form
Steve Beaton’s career has now spanned several decades. However, the golden times seem to be over for the man from North Walsham. The big successes he celebrated in 1996 with the BDO World Championship title or in 2009 with the final of the European Championship. In the last years the results decreased and especially in the big events he hardly appeared anymore.
Can the oldie save a messed up year?
2021 saw Bronzed Adonis fail in his first match at numerous Playlist Championship events and the question now is whether he will return to the oche in better shape in time for the big highlight of the year. His last match took place at the end of November against Gabriel Clemens and he played an average of 86 points in the 5:6 defeat.
Will Beaton join the list of prominent “Sherrock victims”?
In order not to be the third player to be beaten by a woman at a World Championship, a significant improvement in performance is required and, given the current situation, a tip in the direction of the 20-year-old Englishwoman seems to have a good chance of success between Steve Beaton and Fallon Sherlock.
Fallon Sherrock – Statistics & current form
Fallon Sherrock has now fully arrived on the PDC circuit. The 27-year-old is far from being a flash in the pan, having suddenly played herself into an unexpected frenzy at the World Championships two years ago. More recently, she reached a new milestone at the Grand Slam of Darts when she reached the quarter-finals.
The Queen rushes from one record to the next
No woman has ever achieved this at a major tournament before. Along the way, she progressed through the group stages and then put in a strong performance to beat Mensur Suljovic in the last 16. In her preliminary round match against Mike de Dekker (5:0) she played an average of 101 points (record) and her double quota was once again very strong (55 %).
Above all, the Queen of the Palace is characterised by her strong nerves in the decisive moments and not only because she goes into her first round match on Sunday as the favourite, her expectations have grown in the meantime. The crowd at the Ally Pally will, of course, be on Sherrock’s side and whip her forward.
Can Sherrock bring her good form to London?
If the recent form can be confirmed, the odds are in favour of a win for the 27-year-old in the Steve Beaton vs Ballons Sherrock encounter. How long the fairy tale will last this time will be seen in the next few weeks.
Steve Beaton – Fallon Sherrock Direct comparison / H2H balance
The direct comparison does not help between Steve Beaton and Fellen Sherrock for a prediction about the upcoming match. The two opponents are meeting for the first time in their careers, which is not particularly surprising.
While Sherrock only gained a foothold on the tour a few years ago, the world number 43 was rather less active exactly in this period and the successful years of the Bronzed Adonis are already a while ago. The premiere duel on Sunday at Alexandra Palace will therefore be all the more exciting.
Steve Beaton – Fallon Sherrock Tip
In her still young career Fallon Sherlock has already set numerous records. On Sunday it’s that time again and she’s the first woman to go into a World Championship match as a favourite. She has earned this role with strong performances in recent weeks and months, especially at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Her opponent Steve Beaton on the other hand had a very average 2021 where good results left much to be desired. If nothing fundamental changes, the bookmakers’ assessment in the odds comparison will be confirmed and the Queen of the Palace will enter the second round.
Between Steve Beaton and Fallon Sherrock, the odds for a bet on the lady from Milton Keynes are actually the better recommendation. With a little risk, the 27-year-old can be predicted to win 3:1 in the duel Steve Beaton vs Fallon Sherrock.
The Bronzed Adonis will grab at least one run with his great experience and consistency. In the long run, however, the currently higher playing quality of Fallon Sherrock will prevail and a stake of four units will be placed on the four-set victory of the favourite.
