Typical eh? Just as the last of the Sportperson of the Year gongs are handed out, Alexandra Palace is witnessing one of the underdog stories of the year, if not the decade, as Fallon Sherrock sailed into the third round of the world darts championships last night.
Earlier this week she became the first female to win a game at the tournament after getting the better of Ted Evetts in the first round. Mensur Suljovic presented a much sterner challenge however, the 11th seed being a seasoned campaigner in the competition; but the 25-year-old English women rose to the challenge in front of a boisterous crowd at the iconic venue to beat the Austrian 3-1, finishing him off by hitting the bullseye with her final dart.
She now faces Chris Dobey in the last-32 of the tournament, though attention is quickly turning to bigger ambitions a little further down the line.
SHERROCK HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!
She beats Mensur Suljovic 3-1 to repeat history and book her place in the Third Round.
INCREDIBLE SCENES!!! pic.twitter.com/jXhQNuBSk8— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2019
Asked by Sky Sports if she could win the tournament outright, Sherrock said:
Why not? I won two games. I'm just going to take each game as it comes. There's nothing to say I can't. Look what's happening. I'm going to try.
I have just proved that we (women) can beat anyone. I have beaten two of the best players in the world. If that doesn't show that women can play darts, I don't know what does.
Sherrock has also caught the eye of some of the most venerable names in the game with former world champions and popular characters on the oche heaping praise on the sensation after her second round win.
Absolutely brilliant stuff from @Fsherrock now onto the next one well done really chuffed for you.
— Phil Taylor (@PhilTaylor) December 21, 2019
A fightback to make @snakebitewright jealous #Fallon
— John Part (@DarthMaple180) December 21, 2019
Fantastic @Fsherrock! Impressive finishing doll!
— Bobby George (@BobbyGeorge180) December 21, 2019
However, there was also praise for the English player from those outside the sport.
Never enjoyed @SkySportsDarts as much as tonight @Fsherrock you absolute hero 💥
— Andrew Flintoff (@flintoff11) December 21, 2019
Congratulations! 👏
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 21, 2019
Congrats Fallon, you’re my kinda female empowerment role model..
There strictly on merit, beating the men in their own World Championships. Suffered lots of hardship in life but never whine about it, just crack on & defy the odds. More power to your ferociously talented elbow! 💪 https://t.co/HSEiEGVqrr— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 22, 2019
Bullseye! Oh @Fsherrock ! What a brilliant performance AGAIN. You could go all the way.… #PDCWorldChampionship
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 21, 2019
Another great win for #fallonsherrock! Doing it for the girls 👊🏼 #cantseecantbe #PDCWorldChampionship
— Stephanie Roche (@StephanieRoche9) December 21, 2019
Bullseye ! This is unbelievable! Superb Arrows from The Queen of the Ally Pally .. She Marches on in the #PDCWorldChampionship #fallonsherrock pic.twitter.com/NMWYNK9obN
— Hector (@hectorirl) December 21, 2019
