Mikuru Suzuki defeated Lisa Ashton 3-0 to successfully retain her BDO ladies’ world title at the Indigo at The O2 in East London.

The Japanese ace, who beat Ashton in the first round of last year’s tournament, lost the opening leg of the match, but then won five on the bounce as she moved into a commanding position.

Some missed doubles allowed ‘The Lancashire Rose’ back into the second set with consecutive legs of 18 and 16 darts, only for Suzuki to land double 20 for a 17-darter of her own to make it 2-0, heading into the break.

Suzuki, who was feeling under the weather heading into the contest, pinned 61 for a 14-darter immediately after the break, but Ashton roared back with a 118 checkout and a 14-darter.

‘Miracle’ did pick up a scrappy fourth leg to force a decider in the third, at which point you could almost cut the atmosphere in the room with a knife.

Ashton had two chances at double 15 to force a fourth set, though, one landed just outside and one came inside, leaving her on 15 and giving Suzuki three darts at 71. She made no mistake, landing double 20 to secure a superb victory.

SHE'S DONE IT!! MIKURU SUZUKI DEFENDS HER TITLE! All hail the BDO World Champion! pic.twitter.com/JP7U04lxPy — Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 11, 2020

It was a James Wade-esque performance from the Japanese thrower, who trailed in both the averages (83.39 to Ashton’s 85) and the checkout rate (30% to Ashton’s 31.25%), however, she found the big scores at the right times and took her chances, as she has throughout the tournament.

Her record in the BDO Ladies’ World Championship is now eight games played, eight games won and two world titles lifted.

What an image that is. Congratulations to both women! And watch the men's final live on Sunday

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??? Eurosport Player: https://t.co/0Fa7uXMVB9 pic.twitter.com/TIcbwnLrVG — Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 11, 2020

Photography by Chris Sargeant/TipTopPics