Beau Greaves nearly pulls off upset against Daryl Gurney at World Championship

Beau Greaves, the 21-year-old world No. 1 in women's darts, came within a whisker of pulling off a major upset against Daryl Gurney at the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace on Friday night. Greaves forced the match to a deciding fifth set before Gurney prevailed, sealing a 3-2 victory after four match darts went unconverted.

Greaves, who has gained traction in recent years for her performances in the women's game, has also competed in the men's circuit and is viewed as a trailblazer by many observers. The match at Ally Pally showcased the 21-year-old's growing confidence and capability against a seasoned male opponent, even as she fell short of becoming the first woman to win at the venue in six years.

Greaves fell behind after Gurney won the opening set, but she struck back in the second with a bold break that included a 10-dart leg on the way to taking the set. Gurney answered in the third, regaining the lead and leaving the second round within reach, while Greaves refused to go quietly and won a tense fourth set to push the match to a fifth and final frame.

In the decisive fifth set, Gurney survived Greaves' best spurt and, after weathering a late rally from the Doncaster native, closed out the match. He missed four match darts along the way, a detail that underscored how tightly contested the contest was and how close Greaves came to securing a historic result.

Following the win, Gurney offered a public compliment that underscored the respect he has for Greaves. "For me she is the best woman darts player on the planet," he said. "If there's going to be a (female) darts player who can win the World Championship or a major Championship, that's the player. Even from a man's point of view that woman has got some cojones. What a darts player, honestly what a darts player."

The crowd's mixed response amplified the drama, with a segment of supporters urging Greaves to pull off the upset even as Gurney pressed home his advantage. After the final whistle, Gurney lifted Greaves' hand in the air and bowed toward her at the oche, a gesture many described as a show of respect for the challenger and the sport's evolving landscape.

Greaves has long been highly regarded in darts circles. She became the youngest woman to compete at the World Championship when she was 18, a marker of how quickly she rose through the ranks. Her momentum surged in October when she defeated Luke Littler to win the PDC World Youth Championship, a result that drew widespread attention for its implications about the division between the men's and women's games at the sport's top levels.

Her path has not always been straightforward. In July 2024 she said publicly that men’s and ladies’ darts should be separate and that she did not expect to win Ally Pally or other major men's events. Those comments reflected an era when she openly wrestled with the perception that women could contend with the sport's elite on the same stage. Yet the 2025 season has seen her push those boundaries further, going more than halfway toward competing on the men's circuit while continuing to excel in the women's game. The result on Friday night at Alexandra Palace adds another layer to a career defined by breaking barriers and shattering expectations.

Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Greaves has built a reputation as a fearless competitor who relishes big stages. Her performance against Gurney, one of the sport's most respected players, reinforced the perception that she belongs in the sport's toughest environments even when the outcome did not go her way. As she continues to chase a landmark victory, the darts world watches closely, aware that the line between novelty and a legitimate title challenger is increasingly blurry.