from bdodarts.com
Anastasia Dobromyslova clinched her third world title, defying a battling performance from debutant finalist Lisa Ashton 2-1. Bolton-based Ashton hit a maximum and an 80 checkout but was powerless to stop the 28-year-old Russian from chalking up her third world title.
It was an entertaining 30-minute encounter between second seed Dobromyslova and the veteran England international, with Dobromyslova holding her nerve to clinch the title on double six.
Afterwards Dobromyslova said: “I still don’t realise I have done it. It was such a tough game. If it had gone to 2-2 in the final set it could have been anyone’s title.
“Being here in the final before meant I know how to handle myself. I would just like to thank my family and friends for all their support,” said the newly-crowned champ.
Beaten finalist Ashton admitted: “I am gutted at losing but was really pleased to get through to the final. I don’t think the break in the game did me any good.”
Both players started confidently, pounding the tiny 60 segment, the defending champ missing double tops for a 118 finish against the throwing advantage, Ashton stepping in to exit on double 10.
The Russian led to the double in the next and despite five misses, exited on double five to level the game. She clinched the next against the throw on double tops after the 42-year-old Bolton player missed two finishing opportunities.
Ashton fired out the first 180 of the match in the fourth set, but Dobromyslova won the race for the double and clinically checked out on 64 with treble 16 and double eight to take the opening set against the throwing advantage.
The Russian player was coasting to the opening leg of the second set, leaving herself 12, but Ashton pounced with a superb 120 checkout, finished on double tops, to steal the throwing advantage.
In the next, power-scoring saw Ashton first to the double and despite fluffing three shots, she moved into a 2-0 legt lead after hitting double 10. Dobromyslova replied, narrowly missing double 20 for a 117 finish, recovering from missing three further doubles before exiting on double two.
Despite throwing first in the next the defending champ struggled to match Ashton’s high-scoring as the England sharpshooter levelled the match with an eye-catching 80, completed on double tops.
Tons were traded in the opening leg of the deciding third set, Ashton missing double 18 for a 84 finish, as Dobromyslova pounced to finish on double 10 against the throwing advantage.
But the Bolton ace replied immediately, exiting on double 10 after narrowly missing tops for a spectacular 116 checkout.
With tension rising both players fired out ton plus scores, but Ashton missed double tops and then double 15 to steal the match advantage and Anastasia cooly hit single one and double 20 to edge into a 2-1 leg lead.
The double world champ turned the screw in the fourth leg to leave herself on 78 with Ashton stranded in the 200s. She hit treble 18 but then agonised as two darts intended for double 12 missed their target.
But with Ashton unable to finish the cool Russian sharpshooter pegged a title-winning double six for her third world title in six years – and her fourth world title on the Lakeside stage.
In addition to three BDO Women’s World Pro titles, it was back in 2001 as a wide-eyed teenager she clinched the Winmau World Youth title at Lakeside to launch her glittering career on the oche….
Watching the match was the 2004 Men’s World Champion Andy Fordham, who has announced that he is to return to the BDO and plans to play in the Dutch Open next month. One of the sport’s greatest personalities “The Viking” was a Lakeside Semi-Finalist on four occasions and also lifted the Winmau World Masters at Frimley Green.
