World Cup out for Fallon Sherrock: Santa Claus defeats the “Queen” at darts

World Cup out for Fallon Sherrock
Santa Claus defeats the “Queen” at darts

By Kevin Schulte

The last of three players at the darts world championship in London is out. Fallon Sherrock is defeated by Ricky Evans dressed as Santa Claus. On the other hand, Dutch top star Raymond van Barneveld is one lap ahead.

Tuesday evening at the Darts World Cup in London was all about two fan favorites. Fallon Sherrock played first in the third match of the evening session, followed by five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld. Only one made it through to the next round on a grueling evening at Ally Pally.

Fallon Sherrock, who three years ago was the first woman in the history of the tournament to defeat two men, lost to her English compatriot Ricky Evans unnecessarily and unluckily. The 28-year-old “Queen of the Palace” found her way into the game, but was unable to capitalize on the 1-0 set lead. Her real strength, the throws on the eight millimeter wide double fields on the outer ring of the dartboard, were her undoing that evening. Evans turned the game around, winning three sets in a row 3-2. “Rapid”, as Evans is called because of his quick style of play, had a 20 percent higher hit rate than his opponent when throwing on the doubles. That was the difference.

“Merry Christmas” instead of “YMCA”

It is not only the athletic performance of the 32-year-old Englishman that is worth remembering. Notorious for his humor in the darts world, the Englishman walked onto the stage to the tune of “Merry Christmas Everyone” instead of his usual “YMCA” entrance tune. Dressed up in proper style with a Santa Claus beard, of course. The number 42 in the world rankings had not brought his opponent any gifts. And of course he threw his beard into the spectator stands before the game started instead of keeping it on.

But that should be the end of the niceties for the rest of the evening. The fans, who mostly cheered for Sherrock, clearly made life difficult for Evans. Scattered boos during the recordings made the 2013 junior world champion so angry that after winning the set to make it 2-1, he made an obscene gesture.

As a result, Evans played the game almost humbly to the end. It seemed as if the action itself had made him a little uncomfortable. “I knew it was going to be complicated, but I didn’t expect it to be such a tough match. She’s so good,” Evans said of his opponent after the game. “Fallon was the better player. I’m just glad I got through now. I have nothing to lose now.”

In the next round, Evans meets the world number 13 on Friday evening. Joe Cullen. Chances are Evans will be dressing up as Santa again the day before Christmas Eve.

Darts legend “Barney” one round further

Fallon Sherrock is clearly disappointed after her loss.

(Photo: PDC)

From Raymond van Barneveld’s point of view, Tuesday evening was less strenuous but just as successful. The five-time world champion also won 3-1 after a set deficit of 0-1 against the strong Ryan Meikle. “Barney” initially had problems with the 26-year-old Englishman. A strong second set brought the former postman back into the game against the trained hairdresser. A missed chance for a possible 2:1 set lead by Meikle ultimately ensured the preliminary decision. The 55-year-old van Barneveld – who returned to the professional tour from retirement two years ago – grabbed the sentence and dictated the game from then on.

For “Barney” the victory was also a hard piece of work because he said he had gotten food poisoning while visiting a restaurant the day before. That’s why he even briefly thought about not competing at all. Van Barneveld said his condition only improved on Tuesday afternoon.

The Dutchman continues in round three of the World Cup on December 27th. His opponent is none other than world number one Gerwyn Price. The duel with the “Iceman” can also be a good omen for “Barney”, after all he won twice against Price in a tournament in November.

German top player enters the tournament

DARTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023 – Day 6

round 1

Jim Williams 3-2 Sebastian Bialecki

Jamie Hughes 1-3 Jimmy Hendriks

Ricky Evans 3-1 Fallon Sherrock

round 2

Raymond van Barneveld 3-1 Ryan Meikle

Before the giant duel takes place in London, Raymond van Barneveld can use the days off to regenerate. Perhaps he will also watch his successor as Dutch darts superstar, Michael van Gerwen, play his opening game this Wednesday evening. The world champion from 2014, 2017 and 2019 is going into the World Cup this year as the top favourite. His first opponent, 20-year-old Lewy Williams from Wales, shouldn’t be a stumbling block.

The first World Cup game, on the other hand, threatens to be more complicated for the best German in the world rankings. Gabriel Clemens, number 25 in the world, will face Irishman William O’Connor in the second game of the evening session from around 9:30 p.m. German time. Experts expect a balanced game.

Clemens is one of three Germans in the tournament. Martin Schindler, ranked 29th in the world, will not start the tournament until Friday against Englishman Martin Lukeman. The third German, ex-handball semi-pro Florian Hempel, had already started in round one and was allowed to play against world number five Luke Humphries after his victory on Thursday evening.

source site-33