Beau topped the Women's Series Order of Merit and won 8 of the 24 events. She would have won more, but for the emergence of Dutch player Noa-Lynn van Leuven. Noa-Lynn has made huge strides in 2024. Finishing second on the Order of Merit and winning a Challenge Tour title. Her success has meant that she will opt for the PDC World Championships instead, alongside Fallon Sherrock, who would also be a major threat to Beau.
Mikuru Suzuki has also opted not to play in the WDF event, and it may seem like it will be plain sailing for Beau, however there are still a crop of very good players that could upset the odds.
Lisa Ashton had a few issues with injury last year, so was never quite at her best. This year, especially the second half, as been much much better. Lisa won events 11 and 12 of the Women's Series and was back to something near her best. Her involvement on the Seniors Tour has also been useful and she has had some good results there. If she can maintain some of this form, then she has a chance of a final place, at least.
Another candidate for a final place, at least, is Aileen de Graaf. The perennial Dutch player has been at the top end of Women's darts for over a decade. She has had hit and miss form on the Women's Series Tour, but has had some good results in her home country of the Netherlands. She was the 2023 Women's World Championship runner-up and made showed some real class at times. She has the experience and will be hungry to go one step further this time around.
Two emerging players hoping to cause some surprises are New Zealander, Nicole Regnaud, who was very unlucky not to progress further last year, and 18 year old Sophie McKinley. Sophie has a tough first round match against Lisa Ashton, but many will know that she is more than capable of causing a surprise. Nicole has a draw that will give her a lot of hope. Potentially meeting Deta Hedman in the quarter finals ,but that will not overawe her.
Deta Hedman, Anca Ziljstra and Irina Armstrong have an incredible amount of experience, and will all expect to go far. Deta was unlucky at the recent Womens ADC Championship Finals, and has been winning all over Europe this year, as has Anca. Irina has been at the top end of WDF Womens darts for the best part of 20 years, so these players should never be underestimated.
I believe the toughest opponent Beau will face in her half of the draw is the Finnish player Kirsi Viinikainen. On her day she is a match for any player. She has had deep runs in several Women's Series events and has had experience playing on the Modus stage. Kirsi is due a big win and maybe this could be her chance.
Aletta Wajer usually plays more in the continental European events and is always around the latter stages. Lorraine Hyde is another to consider. An experienced and quality player,she faces a tough draw, but if she can get through the first couple of rounds, she may think it could be her year.
I think the draw is set up for a Beau Greaves/Lisa Ashton final, but darts is never that predictable!
