World Darts Championship: Wayne Mardle and Willie O’Connor reflect on the great Beau Greaves | Darts news

Wayne Mardle and opponent Willie O’Connor pay tribute to the brilliant Beau Greaves despite the teenage star losing 3-0 to the Magpies. Watch the 2023 PDC Darts World Championship live on Sky Sports – from January 3 until the final

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Wayne Mardle says Beau Greaves did so much right in his defeat to Willie O’Connor in the first round of the World Series.

Wayne Mardle says teenager Beau Greaves “acquitted himself brilliantly” on his Alexandra Palace debut, while opponent Willie O’Connor believes he has a “big future”.

Greaves went down 3-0 after his history-making performance at the World Darts Championshipsp, O’Connor proved too strong in his first round match.

The 18-year-old is the youngest woman to enter the tournament and has been in dominant form in the PDC Women’s Series, but was unable to beat her Irish opponent.

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Greaves brought the Ally Pally crowd to their feet with this 122 goal

“I’m actually pleased for Beau to come here and play so well. Yes, of course I’m disappointed he lost, but Willie held it together quite nicely and didn’t get involved in anything.”

Wayne Mardle in Beau Greaves

His maiden career had started in striking fashion as he nailed 120 cash and despite another impressive score of 122 in the second innings, O’Connor was relentless as Greaves’ radar drifted into the final innings.

Speaking to ‘Hawaii 501’ host Emma Paton, Mardle said: ‘There was nothing negative that I could point out. She lost her last six feet incredibly and it doesn’t seem like it.

“Usually when someone wins 3-0, he was second best, but I think the only time he was second best was in the last set. “Willie O’Connor had to roll the last three legs of the second set.

“Beau did so much right. Unfortunately there were too many runs of 60 or 59 and they just caught him at the end.

“It was 161 short of the top ten, 32 short as well, just one dart here and there that makes all the difference. He acquitted himself brilliantly.

“I hope he goes away thinking he played well and felt good. He looked fantastic and the action is to die for – it’s so smooth and so good.

“Willie knows he’s been in an absolute fight. Even though it was 3-0, the score for him looks like it was simple and it really wasn’t.”

Mardle added: “I’m actually delighted for Beau to come here and play so well. Yes, I’m disappointed he lost of course, but Willie held it together quite nicely and didn’t get involved in anything.”

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The Doncaster bowler hit this ‘Shanghai’ 120 in the opening over of the match

“I was William O’Nerves” Me “He earned my respect”

O’Connor was impressed with Greaves’ performance

O’Connor applauded Greaves for his performance and joked that he was “William O’Nerves” on stage against the teenager from Doncaster.

“He certainly had his chances, but he didn’t take them. It just fell to me,” he said. “He threw some great stuff and he has a huge future ahead of him. Hopefully this will be the last time I play him for a long time.

“I don’t need this attention. I just want to slink off in a corner and mind my own business. I didn’t want that draw. I don’t think anyone wanted that draw. He’s won it all. Nobody wants that smoke, especially me!”

“I play the best players in the world every week, so there’s nothing he can do that I haven’t seen already. I came out with a win and that’s the most important thing.”

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O’Connor got the job done as the Limerick hurler progressed to the second round

O’Connor added: “I was a bag of nerves. I was William O’Nerves. He played brilliantly. A little experience on my side got me through.

“I didn’t watch anything he’s ever done, but he’s only getting better with time. He’s earned my respect.”

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports – 15 December – 3 January.