World Darts Championship 2026: Fallon Sherrock ‘beneath the radar’ however with eyes on extra historical past forward of Alexandra Palace return

Fallon Sherrock hopes to finish a ‘irritating’ run on the World Darts Championship and create extra historical past by upsetting Dave Chisnall of their first-round conflict on the Alexandra Palace.

Sherrock was topped ‘Queen of the Palace’ for her historic run to the third spherical of the 2020 version, the place she grew to become the primary feminine to win a match within the match.

The Englishwoman defeated Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic earlier than finally being knocked out by Chris Dobey within the final 32, though did not qualify the next yr and suffered first-round exits in every of her subsequent 4 appearances.

Sherrock secured a sixth look after qualifying through the PDC Girls’s Collection Order of Benefit, with the 31-year-old – who stays the one girl to win on the Alexandra Palace stage – now trying to push for an additional historic success.

“I don’t think I’m that far away [from her best],” Sherrock informed On-line Darts. “Consistency-wise I have been reaching – other than a few unhealthy video games – the 90 averages once more and 100 averages once more.

“It is simply tweaking the little bits of recreation and getting the consistency, so hopefully I am working a minimum of a excessive 90 (common) or 100, but it surely takes time and it takes observe.

“I believe so [can be better]. I believe all of the expertise I’ve had over the previous couple of years. I believe as soon as I get my recreation sorted, I could possibly be higher than what I used to be.

“Obviously when I did everything, I didn’t have that much experience. Over the last few years I’ve have had defeats, I’ve had wins, so I know how to deal more with pressure situations now.”

Sherrock missed out on the possibility to play eventual champion Luke Littler in final yr’s contest, the place she squandered a 2-1 lead towards Ryan Meikle earlier than shedding a final-set decider.

“It is frustrating because I don’t think I’ve played that bad since [her 2020 run at Ally Pally],” Sherrock added. “I believe it is a little bit of luck you need as well. You just need someone to falter and hit the big scores at the right time.

“Hopefully this yr, with all of the observe and stuff main up, hopefully I can get that win once more. It is such an awesome feeling simply to win at Ally Pally, particularly listening to all of the viewers.

“Everyone wants to play Littler, don’t they! I was a bit gutted when I lost to Ryan [Meikle] but at least I gave it my best go. I don’t know what would’ve happen but I’d have loved the opportunity. Everyone would’ve loved it!”

Sherrock was one in all 5 girls’s gamers within the document 128-player line-up for this yr’s World Championship, with Lisa Ashton and Noa-Lynn van Leuven falling in straight-sets defeats to former world champions Michael Smith and Peter Wright.

Gemma Hayter begins her debut towards Josh Rock on Friday afternoon earlier than Beau Greaves performs Daryl Gurney later that night, with Sherrock hoping that Greaves’ return means there may be much less consideration on her personal efficiency.

“Yes, under the radar – I’ve never been the person to be the face of women’s darts,” Sherrock admitted. “For me, that was a lot of pressure.

“Now Beau’s exceeding and doing every thing, I am like ‘okay, all eyes [on Greaves], I am simply going to take pleasure in myself, chill out, and go beneath the radar once more.”

Dave Chisnall reached the semi-finals in 2021 and has made the quarter-finals on three different events, though he suffered a second-round exit in final yr’s contest after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Ricky Evans in a final-leg decider.

“It’s a blessing and a curse I suppose to be involved in one of the supposedly best ever matches at Ally Pally – it’s only worth remembering if you win!” Chisnall stated in his Kwiff column. “The crowd were really behind Ricky [Evans] 12 months ago and I imagine they’ll be cheering just as much for Fallon (Sherrock) before Thursday’s game.

“Fallon was nicknamed ‘Queen of the Palace’ after turning into the primary girl to win throughout the males’s world at Ally Pally and is a really, excellent participant. It is not misplaced on me how good she is, and I will not be taking her calmly.

“It’s panto season, but I don’t want to be playing the panto villain – I’ll leave that to the likes of Gezzy [Gerwyn Price]!”

Chisnall faces ‘psychological battle’ towards Sherrock

Sky Sports activities Darts’ Laura Turner:

“If you’d asked me before we’d seen the draw, which seed do you think might be in a bit of trouble? Dave Chisnall is probably one I’d put up there.

“We have all the time identified that he is been sensible on the Euro Tour and really, excellent on the ground. However his stage matches have not been nice for the final type of 12 to 18 months, I might say. Additionally this yr, he is type of sliding by the wayside on the ground tournaments as nicely. He has appeared pissed off!

“To me, I feel like there’s a bit of pressure for Chisnall to perform, to have a deep run back in a TV tournament. We haven’t seen it for a while. Now he’s got Fallon and he’s going to have the whole crowd against him.

“We have seen it earlier than on the Palace. We all know the requirements that Fallon can play at, however that is additionally a extremely massive psychological battle for Chisnall.

“Fallon and the Palace seem to go hand in hand. She’s drawn a seed, but what an opportunity. Trying to catch someone when they’re cold, early doors, maybe lacking in a little bit of confidence. If she can get off to a solid start, then she could get past him.”

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