In a gripping tennis showdown, Harriet Dart pulled off an incredible upset against Katie Boulter in a dramatic three-set match that concluded with a nail-biting 10-8 tiebreak.
Just weeks earlier, Boulter had knocked Dart out of contention at Eastbourne, making this victory even sweeter for Dart.
At one point, Dart seemed destined to exit the competition, trailing 6-2 in the tiebreak.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she was seen wiping away tears as she tried to regain her composure.
Despite the early setback, the 27-year-old kept her focus and battled through, securing only her second win in eight career meetings against the No. 32 seed.
Dart’s emotions were evident throughout the match.
“I wear my emotions on my sleeve, so you see everything,” she admitted in her post-match interview.
“But thank you so much for the support, it was so fab.”
Her candidness and gratitude highlighted her journey through the match.
Katie Boulter, praised Dart’s abilities on grass and her comfort at the All England Club.
The Nottingham Open winner displayed her prowess in the first set, securing a break at 2-2 and eventually taking the set 6-4.
Boulter’s boyfriend, Alex De Minaur, fresh from his own victory, was present to cheer her on.
Dart’s Fierce Comeback
However, Dart responded fiercely in the second set.
She dominated after breaking Boulter’s serve in the second game, allowing Boulter only a single point in that game.
Boulter struggled with unforced errors, committing a staggering 75 compared to Dart’s focused 35.
The Decisive Tiebreak
In the intense tiebreak, Dart’s resilience shone through.
Despite nearly collapsing, she won the next four points, clinching the match when Boulter made a crucial error.
The match ended with a heartfelt hug between the two players, dispelling any rumors of a cold relationship.
Dart’s Unexpected Triumph
Reflecting on her victory, Dart said, “My head-to-head is absolutely woeful against Katie Boulter, so I wasn’t expecting too much, but I just tried my best out there.
Even though I was down in that tiebreak, I just thought give it everything, no regrets, and I’m really pleased to be able to battle through.”
A Memorable Win
This victory was particularly special for Dart as it marked her first significant win on Court One since playing mixed doubles there years ago.
“It’s so nice to get my first big win on a really big stadium court in front of a home crowd.
It’s absolutely surreal,” she shared.
Looking Ahead
After last year’s first-round exit, Dart is now preparing to face Wang Xinyu, matching her best-ever run in the tournament.
Wang also had a three-set victory over world No. 5 Jessica Pegula, setting the stage for another exciting match ahead.
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