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Beau Greaves currently holds the top position in the PDC Women’s Series rankings.
In a captivating 6-5 victory, Beau Greaves triumphed over Luke Littler, making history as the first woman to reach the final of the World Youth Championship.
Littler entered the tournament in Wigan fresh from his dominant 6-1 victory over world number one Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final on Sunday.
The 18-year-old progressed smoothly through his three matches in the round-robin stage, securing wins against Jeffrey Keen of the Netherlands, Alexander Thorvaldsson of Iceland, and Matthias Moors of Belgium.
However, the reigning champion delivered a subdued performance in the last 16 against fellow Englishman Charlie Manby.
Littler faced the brink of elimination, trailing 5-3 to the 20-year-old, before rallying to win the subsequent three legs. He then rediscovered his form in the quarter-finals, achieving a 6-1 victory over Jamai van den Herik of the Netherlands.
In the semi-final, Warrington native Littler found himself trailing Greaves 2-1 but responded by winning three consecutive legs to gain the advantage.
However, Greaves, a three-time WDF women’s world champion who is poised to accept a PDC Tour card for 2026-27, fought back to level the match at 4-4 and then again at 5-5.
Greaves then decisively defeated Littler in the final leg, throwing an 11-dart leg, with the 21-year-old from Doncaster sealing the victory with an 80 checkout.
She is set to face defending champion Gian van Veen in next month’s final, after the Dutchman, 23, secured a 6-4 victory over Sebastian Bialecki of Poland in the other semi-final.
The World Youth Championship final is scheduled for November 23 in Minehead, preceding the Players Championship final on the same day.
Littler, who recorded an average of 107.4 compared to Greaves’ 105, acknowledged his defeat on Instagram, stating: “Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.”
The World Youth Championship is open to players aged between 16 and 24.
Littler claimed the youth title in 2023 at the age of 16, just weeks before his rise to prominence as runner-up at the 2024 World Championship.
Why is Littler playing in World Youth Championship?
Littler demolishes Humphries to win World Grand Prix
Last 16
Luke Littler 6-5 Charlie Manby
Jamai van den Herik 6-3 Lok Yin Lee
Beau Greaves 6-4 Tyler Thorpe
Liam Maendl-Lawrance 6-2 Lewis Gurney
Gian van Veen 6-5 Aidan O’Hara
Cam Crabtree 6-5 Nunjo Dewaele
Keane Barry 6-3 Adam Gawlas
Sebastian Bialecki 6-5 Roy Rietbergen
Quarter-finals
Luke Littler 6-1 Jamai van den Herik
Beau Greaves 6-2 Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Gian van Veen 6-2 Cam Crabtree
Sebastian Bialecki 6-5 Keane Barry
Semi-finals
Beau Greaves 6-5 Luke Littler
Gian van Veen 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki
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