Fallon Sherrock's historic run at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship is over after losing her third-round match to Chris Dobey on Saturday (NZ time).
Sherrock, who had made history by becoming the first woman to win a match at the tournament, was beaten 4-2 in the round of 32 clash at London's Alexandra Palace.
The 25-year from Milton Keynes twice led by a set in a high-quality contest, but her lack of big stage experience let her down as Dobey's consistency got him over the line.
"I've enjoyed myself so much," Sherrock told Sky Sports UK after the match. "Unfortunately, it wasn't my result but I can't take it away from him - he played so well."
Sherrock's fairytale run began before Christmas when she became the first woman ever to beat a man at the PDC World Championship, claiming a 3-1 win over young prospect Ted Evetts.
She then backed that up in the second round with another 3-1 win, this time against world number 11 Mesur Suljovic.
But the hairdresser by trade was unable to repeat those feats against Newcastle's Dobey, who will face three-time British Darts Organisation (BDO) world champion, Glen Durrant, for a spot in the quarter-finals.
In her previous matches, Sherrock had relied on her doubles to beat Evetts and Suljovic. She was pinpoint with her finishing in the match again, hitting 52 percent of her doubles, compared to Dobey's 35 percent.
Dobey made his scoring count, however, averaging 101.09 to Sherrock's 90.45, while he also hit 11 180 maximums compared his opponents eight.
"I knew what I had to do from the start," said Dobey. "This girl can play and I needed to be at my best.
"[She was] absolutely astonishing today and she fully deserves all this support."
He also described the match as the "toughest of his career."
After the match, pioneering tennis player Billie Jean King, American actress Sarah Jessica Parker, and British actor Stephen Fry were among the notable stars to congratulate Sherrock for her achievements.
King sad Sherrock had "inspired millions" and "her talent and grace under pressure will take her far".
By reaching the third round, Sherrock recieves £25,000 (NZ$49,259) for her efforts.
Sherrock is the fifth woman to feature at the world championship, after Canadian Gayl King, Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova, England’s Lisa Ashton and current women’s champion Mikuru Suzuki of Japan.
Female players have always had the same chance as the men, with no boundaries set on qualification, but now at least two of the 96 spots are guaranteed to women, after the introduction of British and world qualifiers.
Sherrock thanked the crowd for their support, and will now switch her focus to the women's BDO World Championship after a fortnight she'll never forget.
And while winning the ladies champs is important to her, Sherrock vows to back at Alexandra Palace next year.
"This has been the best experience I've ever had, so I really want to be here next year. This one is more important to me."
