Fallon Sherrock insists that she wants to create a legacy as she eyes victory in the inaugural Betfred Women’s World Matchplay on Sunday.
Sherrock will star in the historic eight-player event at the Winter Gardens on Sunday afternoon, in the first fully-televised women’s tournament staged by the PDC.
The new £25,000 tournament will see the top eight players from the PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit battling it out in a knockout format, with £10,000 in prize money on offer to the winner.
“I think it will be amazing,” said Sherrock, who has claimed a hat-trick of Women’s Series titles in 2022.
“It has always been an ambition to play at the Winter Gardens, and the women get an opportunity to play now. I’m so excited!"
The Milton Keynes ace takes on Irish teenager Katie Sheldon in an intriguing quarter-final tie, as she aims to produce more big stage brilliance on her Blackpool debut.
“Katie is a really good player. She is so consistent and I’m really excited to play her, because you know you’re in for a good game.
“Hopefully we can show everyone what we can do.”
Sherrock headlines Sunday’s landmark event alongside Lisa Ashton, who tops the Women’s Series Order of Merit after scooping an incredible seven titles this season.
Ashton is one of the sport’s original trailblazers, winning four Lakeside Championships and claiming a PDC Tour Card at Qualifying School in January 2020 – the first female player to do so.
Sherrock created her own slice of history at the 2020 World Darts Championship, becoming the first woman to prevail on the Alexandra Palace stage with wins over Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic.
The 27-year-old has since featured in the Nordic Darts Masters final, before enjoying a run to the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals in November, and she recognises she has a target on her back.
“I think it’s always good to have rivalries and players to aspire to. There are always those players you want to get a win over,” Sherrock added.
“I think in the women’s game there are those players, and I think over the years you’re going to see more of them, so it will be really good to have that hunger in the women’s game as well.”
Sherrock can seal her Grand Slam return by lifting the Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, with the inaugural winner assured of a place in the prestigious 32-player event in Wolverhampton.
The history-maker defeated Mike De Decker, Gabriel Clemens and Suljovic to reach the last eight at Aldersley Leisure Village last year, shattering a multitude of records along the way before narrowly losing out to Wright in a high-quality affair.
“If I could get to the Grand Slam again that would be amazing, because I had a really good run there last time,” she added.
“If I get the opportunity again, I want to get out of my group and go even further.
“I want to push myself as much as I can, because I enjoyed the Grand Slam so much. It’s an amazing atmosphere, the adrenaline rush was brilliant, it’s just a great tournament.”
Sherrock is also poised to book her Alexandra Palace return later this year, with the top two players on the final Women’s Series Order of Merit guaranteed a place at the 2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship.
The Queen of the Palace boasts a £2,100 lead over Lorraine Winstanley in third spot, and she would relish another opportunity to feature in the sport’s flagship event.
“I just know that one day I want to be a world champion – whether it be in the women’s game or the men’s game,” Sherrock continued.
“I want to win a major title as well, and make as much history as I can so people remember me when I’m done.
“Then I can look back and say to my little boy: ‘This is what mummy did’ and he can be really proud of me.”
2022 Betfred Women's World Matchplay
Sunday July 24
Draw Bracket
(1) Lisa Ashton v Chloe O’Brien (8)
(4) Aileen de Graaf v Laura Turner (5)
(2) Fallon Sherrock v Katie Sheldon (7)
(3) Lorraine Winstanley v Rhian Griffiths (6)
Schedule of Play (1300 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Lisa Ashton v Chloe O’Brien
Aileen de Graaf v Laura Turner
Fallon Sherrock v Katie Sheldon
Lorraine Winstanley v Rhian Griffiths
Semi-Finals
Ashton/O’Brien v De Graaf/Turner
Sherrock/Sheldon v Winstanley/Griffiths
Final
Ashton/O’Brien/De Graaf/Turner v Sherrock/Sheldon v Winstanley/Griffiths
Format
Quarter-Finals - Best of seven legs
Semi-Finals - Best of nine legs
Final - Best of 11 legs
Prize Money
Winner: £10,000
Runner-Up: £5,000
Semi-Finalists: £2,500
Quarter-Finalists: £1,250
Total: £25,000
Odds courtesy Betfred and correct at time of writing. Subject to fluctuation.