Fallon Sherrock will open the defence of her BDO World Trophy crown against reigning ladies world champion Mikuru Suzuki later this month.

The draw for the first round of both the men’s and ladies’ tournaments was released late last night, with last year’s ladies’ winner Sherrock paired with the Japanese star, who stormed to the Lakeside title on her World Championship debut back in January this year.

Top seed and ladies’ world number one Lisa Ashton, a two-time World Trophy winner, takes on Australia’s Corrine Hammond, while 2014 champion Anastasia Dobromyslova faces Sharon Prins.

Last year’s runner-up, and Lakeside finalist, Lorraine Winstanley, and 2017 winner Aileen de Graaf, will both face qualifiers, 2016 runner-up Deta Hedman goes up against Maria O’Brien, while 10-time world champion Trina Gulliver meets Casey Gallagher.

This year’s World Trophy takes place at the King Georges Hall, in Blackburn, on August 30 – September 1, with the qualifiers to be held the day before on August 29.

BDO World Trophy 2019 Ladies’ first round draw
(1) Lisa Ashton v Corrine Hammond
(8) Trina Gulliver v Casey Gallagher
(5) Fallon Sherrock v Mikuru Suzuki
(4) Aileen de Graaf v Qualifier 1
(3) Deta Hedman v Maria O’Brien
(6) Anastasia Dobromyslova v Sharon Prins
(7) Laura Turner v Paula Jacklin
(2) Lorraine Winstanley v Qualifier 2