The Russians are Coming…and at least one of them is looking pretty in Pink!
The following article was graciously submitted by Phill Catterick:
Some people said including women in the Grand Slam of Darts was a pointless exercise. Others said they just weren’t good enough to deserve their place in the competition.
Admittedly I used to be one of them.
Against the likes of Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld then I would still have to agree, but then not many people can boast a good win percentage over those two can they?
However Vincent Van Der Voort last night became the first man to lose to a woman in the Grand Slam when Anastasia Dobromyslova defeated the Dutchman 5-4 to record a famous win and with it bolster the integrity and professionalism of the women’s game.
Anastasia was thrashed 5-0 by Taylor on Saturday evening, only managing to get one dart at a double in the process, but responded in the best possible way to gain two points and a real possibility of gaining qualification to the next round.
After going 4-3 down her chance of glory seemed to have faded, but she fought back in style and claimed the final two legs to win. She faces Mark Webster on Tuesday night and another win would guarantee a place in the knockout phases.
Her switch from the BDO was met with some controversy when she beat Francis Hoenselaar in the 2007 Women’s final at the Lakeside, especially considering the fact she had only won one title in comparison to somebody like Trina Gulliver who has won seven since 2001.
Despite that the Russian has applied herself incredibly well, even practising with Phil Taylor on several occasions, and despite some of the critics she has continued to develop and will no doubt grow in confidence now she has beaten one of the more recognised players on the circuit.
Having watched the match she played incredibly well and showed a lot of character and guts to come back and claim the last two legs, and I for one was pleased to see her win.
Her efforts were aided by fantastic crowd support at the Civic Hall, and with everybody on her side she’ll fancy her chances of overcoming the 2008 BDO Champion.
Whatever happens though she’s proved a lot of people wrong by overcoming Van Der Voort last night and this will open the door for other women to come across and show that Darts isn’t just a man’s game.
Boys beware, the Russian’s are coming!
Loading ...