Sherrock strikes bullseye for equality

Fallon Sherrock said she'd proved women could compete with men after her historic victory at the PDC World Darts Championship in London on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old Englishwoman became the first female to win a match at the championship, the sport's most prestigious tournament, with a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory over compatriot Ted Evetts.

Struggling to hear her TV interviewer's questions above the cheers of the typically raucous Alexandra Palace crowd, who gave her a standing ovation, Sherrock told Sky Sports: "I'm speechless, I don't know what to say. Thank you, everyone!

"I feel really happy because I've made something for women's darts now, like I proved that we can play the men and we can beat them.

"So hopefully, fingers crossed, that puts us in the right direction. I'm over the moon and I can't believe it. And to be on the biggest stage there is－wow!"

She later wrote on Twitter: "I'm buzzing! I can't believe I've made history tonight... done it for the girls, that was amazing."

Sherrock, a former runner-up in the BDO Women's World Championship, had fans on their feet in the first set with an outstanding 106 checkout but still found herself 1-0 down as Evetts kept his cool.

After tying the match at 1-1, Sherrock missed four darts to take the lead as the 22-year-old Evetts seized a 2-1 advantage.

"Obviously I was gutted that I missed it, but I just thought to myself, just forget about that set and just focus on trying to get the next set back and try and get it to 2-2," said Sherrock.

"And then once you get it to 2-2, just try and hold it together."

Sherrock took the fourth set with a stunning 13-dart leg and then held her nerve at 2-1 up in the deciding set by taking out double 18 to write her name into the history books.

"I've loved every minute of it and I'm so happy that I can continue it rather than go out in the first round," said Sherrock, who had six maximum 180 scores and averaged 91.12.

Asked how she coped with the pressure in the final leg, she replied: "I just went with the experience that I've had in the BDO(tour) and stuff like that and the practice that I've put in. With the practice, I've mentally prepared myself, like I'm thinking 'this is to win', 'this is to hold it together' and stuff like that."

Next up for Sherrock, who hails from Milton Keynes near London, is 11th seed Mensur Suljovic of Serbia on Saturday night.

"The fact that I've got to play one of the best in the world next, I mean, to me that's such an achievement," said Sherrock, who is now guaranteed at least 15,000 pounds (around $20,000) in prize money.

"But the fact that I've just made history I just can't believe it and it feels I've made a great achievement for ladies' darts."

The only other female player in the first-round draw at the annual championship, which will conclude on New Year's Day, was Japan's BDO world champion Mikuru Suzuki.

The 37-year-old came agonizingly close to beating James Richardson but lost 3-2 following a thrilling final-leg decider on Sunday.