Anastasia Dobromyslova's Blue Square UK Open dream was shattered with a 6-5 defeat to Robert Thornton in Bolton tonight.

The world ladies champion, from Russia, led the Scot 2-1 as the UK Open got off to an exciting start at the Reebok Stadium, including a 120 Shanghai finish.

World Masters champion Thornton, who recently switched to the PDC circuit, hit back with three successive legs - but two 100-plus checkouts from Dobromyslova levelled.

Thornton edged back ahead but missed three darts for victory to allow Dobromyslova to take the game to a deciding leg.

It took a maximum to give Thornton the edge, and he eventually prevailed by finishing with a double top.

"She was awesome," said Thornton.

"Nobody likes playing against a woman, but I treated her as a darts player - and she played really well."

Dobromyslova, the only woman in the 134-player event, added: "I enjoyed it and thought I had Robert at one point, but he was better than me and deserved the win."

American John Kuczynski was among the early shock exits, losing 6-5 to pub qualifier Johnny Haines - while former world champion Richie Burnett slumped to a 6-1 defeat to Jamie Harvey.

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