Ashton Wins Fourth World Title After Pep Talk From Legend

Lisa Ashton won her fourth world title to become the second best women’s player in history - thanks to a pep talk from all-time best Trina Gulliver. The Lancashire Rose produced three dazzling sets in succession to come from behind to beat Anastasia Dobromyslova 3-1 in the Lakeside final. The Russian came roaring out the traps to take the first set in clinical fashion, the first set Ashton had lost at Lakeside for two years. But then Ashton only dropped one further leg after a quick chat with 10-times winner Gulliver. Ashton said: “When I walked off stage after losing the first set, Trina just said to me that I was playing well, keep your cool and your doubles will go. She added my scoring is better and that’s what I did. “Ana’s played well week and I knew I had to raise my game and she just set off well. I knew I had to just keep going, get the set back and play my own game. “I think she was the favourite, Ana’s been on form all week and I’ve had up and down games. But I knew if I just got my scoring and my doubles in I could get her. “I really stepped up, I set off quite slow but I’m so happy my form is coming back now. “Every title is so special. I’m so pleased to win for my family, I couldn’t do it without their support.” Dobromyslova looked in command as she took the opener without reply. But Ashton’s response was ruthless including a sensation 130 finish with bull to take control of the encounter thereafter. Ashton added: “The 130 finish was a massive moment in the match because I knew Ana wouldn’t give me another go. “I was just playing in the local and the lads said to me I need to take this seriously and I was like ‘Oh go on then’ and now I just thank them for it.” Dobromyslova admitted: “It’s gone now I don’t care about today. I’ll be practising tomorrow again and I’ll be back. “My form is back but not good enough or I would have won. Lisa outscored me and fair enough she won.” Channel four pundit and former major winner Paul Nicholson felt it was the greatest performance by a woman in history. He said: “That is the best performance by a lady on that stage in the history of this tournament. “There’s no doubt in my mind, the way Lisa pulverised Ana with her scoring in sets two, three and four. She almost submitted, she had to, it was too powerful.” By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia) Photography courtesy of BDO / DGmedia