BOLTON darter Lisa Ashton is still awaiting her first Grand Slam of Darts win after successive defeats on the opening weekend.
‘Lancashire Rose’ Ashton came up against former world champion Michael van Gerwen in her Group G opener in Wolverhampton on Saturday night and lost 5-0 to a man in scintillating form.
The Dutch three-time world champion averaged just under 106 in a dazzling display, in which he did not allow Ashton a dart at a double.
And he was delighted with such a clinical victory.
He told the PDC website: “I’m not coming back, I am back.
“I’ve been playing well recently. I’m happy, I’m concentrated and I’m feeling good.
“The first game is always difficult.
“Lisa is a credit to women’s sport and I had to stay focussed but I did the job.”
On Sunday night, four-time women’s world champion Ashton was back at the oche against Scotland’s John Henderson.
Henderson stormed into a 3-0 leg lead despite Ashton being denied a 122 checkout by the wire on the bullseye in leg two.
Ashton was averaging more than 100 but had to wait until the fourth leg to get on the scoreboard - a 94 finish on the bullseye.
Henderson won the next but Ashton hit back again to make it 4-2 before ‘The Highlander’ clinched a 5-2 triumph to leave Ashton bottom of the group ahead of her final match with Joe Cullen tonight.
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