THERE could more eyes than usual on Joe Cullen's opening match at the World Darts Championship next month.

The Bradford man is one of the top 32 players from the PDC Order of Merit, so receives an automatic bye into the second round.

And it is there he will face the winner of the round one game between Ricky Evans and Fallon Sherrock.

The latter is just one of three women competing at the tournament, alongside Beau Greaves and Lisa Ashton.

Sherrock became the first woman to beat a man at a World Championship three years ago, but the Queen of the Palace initially missed out on a return to the Ally Pally for this year's event, after finishing third in the PDC's Women's Series Order of Merit behind Ashton and Greaves.

But last week, the PDC announced that the Women's World Matchplay was now part of the qualification criteria.

This meant Sherrock's success at the inaugural staging of the televised tournament back in July earned her a retrospective spot in the 96-player field, which led to plenty of criticism from those who claimed she was receiving 'preferential treatment' due to her status in the sport.

If Cullen does end up facing her in round two, the Wyke man will be looking to block out all that outside noise and make serene progress into the third round.

The 33-year-old has famously struggled at the Worlds, with his best effort a last-16 finish at the 2020/2021 edition.

The Bradfordian suffered a surprise defeat in the last-32 last time out, going down 4-3 to underdog Dutchman Martijn Kleermaker.