Clog almighty Michael van Gerwen has delivered the first serving of ‘bah, humbug’ to history girl Fallon Sherrock’s Christmas miracle.
Jingle belle Sharrock’s stunning wins against Ted Evetts and world No.11 Mensur Suljovic at Alexandra Palace have turned a hairdresser from Bletchley into an international celebrity.
But three-times champion Van Gerwen says he is not surprised by the Pink Princess becoming the first woman to beat male opponents at the William Hill PDC world championship.
And although he respects Sherrock’s achievement, and her bravado for wanting to take on the men every week, MVG warned: “She hasn’t won anything yet.”
The formidable Dutchman, who is the title sponsor’s odds-on favourite to wear the crown a fourth time on New Year’s Day, was not being dismissive of the new queen of Ally Pally.
But he pointed out that the ultimate statement of equality in any battle of the sexes would have to be measured by tangible success, not just a festive fairytale.
Sherrock, 25, has slashed her odds of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy from 2,000-1 rank outsider before the tournament to as little as 100-1 among nervous bookies.
Van Gerwen, however, is not shouting her odds from the rooftops, saying: “She is doing quite well. With her averages and double checkout percentages, she is changing women’s darts at the moment.
“But she hasn’t won anything yet, and if you are going to play in a tournament with the men, you are going to be treated like the men.
“I’m going to play her, somewhere along the way. That would be nice.
“She’s a phenomenal player so I’m not surprised by her success at all. Everyone makes a big deal of it, but I’ve known all along what she’s capable of, so for me it’s not a big thing.”
Any tips the world No.1 can pass on to the star of the show?
Chivalry is not dead – but Van Gerwen is not ready to roll out the pink carpet just yet.
He chuntered: “I’m not interested about giving advice – I’m here for myself, to win the world championship, and whatever she does, I don’t really care.
“It’s great for her and the sport because of all the attention darts has been getting, but whatever Fallon does, whatever Gerywn Price does, it’s not in my hands.
“It would be nice to reach another world championship final, but I don’t need to slip under anyone’s radar. I’m the world champion, like to stand up for myself – I don’t care about anyone else.
“Of course what Fallon is doing at the moment is incredible. I know her quite well, we share the same management so we see each other at exhibitions and I know what she can do.
“But this is a game where you have to play only for yourself.”
Worryingly for his rivals, Van Gerwen has reached the last 16 at Ally Pally without firing on all cylinders.
His 4-0 win in 30 minutes against ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans on Sunday night had the air of two men with a plane to catch, and MVG admitted: “Sometimes, for nine darts, it was absolute c**p, but then you take out 241 in five or six darts and you feel good again.
“It doesn’t worry me how fast my opponent plays – you have to be true to yourself. I could have done a bit better, but a 4-0 win is not too bad.
“Even though I’ve not played my best, I’ve only dropped one set. The other players have to worry about me more than I am going to worry about them.
“I know there is more on the tank, I know what I’m capable of doing and every time I need to produce something, I do it.”
Next up for Van Gerwen is former Lakeisde champion Stephen Bunting, who has lost all of his last six meetings with the formidable Dutchman in TV majors, and he grinned: “I’m going to make it seven.
“He may be playing better than he has for a while, but so am I. I’m still going to beat him.”
So much for a new name on the trophy, whether it’s a woman or the ‘Bullet’.
Bah, humbug.
