Gurney Edges Greaves 3-2 in PDC Worlds First Round

Daryl Gurney advanced to the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Beau Greaves on Friday at Alexandra Palace in London. The Northern Irish player, seeded 22nd, outlasted the 21-year-old women's world number one from Doncaster in a tense first-round clash that showcased both competitors' skill under pressure.

The match, which drew significant attention as a potential milestone for Greaves in her second appearance at the tournament, unfolded over five sets. Greaves, who entered as the favorite based on her dominance in women's darts, including over 50 tour titles and a recent 6-5 win over Luke Littler at the World Youth Championship, pushed Gurney to the limit. She won 11 legs to Gurney's 10 overall and leveled the score in the second set with a remarkable 10-dart leg. However, Gurney seized control in the deciding fifth set by hitting the match's biggest checkout, a 144, to break Greaves' throw when she was on 51. Despite missing four match darts later, Gurney closed out the win, demonstrating composure he credited for the result.

After the final dart, Gurney approached Greaves at the front of the stage, raised her hand to the...