sevendayweekender – Harriet Dart endured a heartbreaking defeat in the first round of the Eastbourne International, falling to Barbora Krejcikova in three sets. On a blustery, rain-affected day on the English coast, Dart led for much of the deciding set but could not close out the match. The 28-year-old Briton served for victory at 5-4 in the third, holding two match points at 40-15. However, nerves and weather conditions played their part as she was broken, eventually losing 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 7-5.
Ranked 124th in the world, Dart was the underdog against 17th-ranked Krejcikova, the reigning Wimbledon champion. Despite the rankings gap, Dart held her own, especially in the second and third sets. Her aggressive groundstrokes and tactical variety kept the Czech player off balance throughout much of the contest. Still, the experienced Krejcikova showed her resilience when it mattered most.
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Missed Opportunities Haunt Dart in Deciding Set
Dart looked set to deliver a major upset when she earned a break and held it deep into the final set. At 5-4, with a vocal home crowd behind her, Dart served for the match. She reached 40-15 and held two match points, only to falter under pressure. After losing both chances, she was broken back by Krejcikova, who then seized the momentum.
As Krejcikova held serve for a 6-5 lead, Dart’s frustration boiled over. She screamed and gestured toward her team in visible anger. Her challenge unraveled quickly, as she was broken to love in the final game. This gave Krejcikova a hard-fought win in her sixth match of the year following a long injury layoff. Dart, meanwhile, was left to rue missed chances in a match she had nearly won.
Krejcikova Gains Confidence Ahead of Wimbledon Defense
For Barbora Krejcikova, the win marks a crucial step in her return to form after a back injury. She had played just five matches in 2024 before arriving in Eastbourne and suffered a loss in her first grass-court appearance last week. Her ability to come back from the brink against Dart will boost her confidence as she prepares to defend her Wimbledon title.
Krejcikova showed composure in key moments, especially after dropping the second-set tiebreak. She remained calm under pressure and used her variety and movement to force Dart into errors. The Czech player now moves into the second round, where she will face another British opponent, Jodie Burrage.
Other British Players Show Mixed Results at Eastbourne
Dart’s defeat capped a mixed day for British players in Eastbourne. Jodie Burrage secured a straight-sets win over Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, 6-3, 6-2. Burrage is aiming to make a deep run after missing Wimbledon last year due to an ankle injury. Emma Raducanu also advanced, coming from a set down to defeat American Ann Li, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1.
However, Sonay Kartal and teenage prospect Mimi Xu were eliminated. Kartal lost 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. Xu fell 6-3, 6-4 to Peyton Stearns of the United States. The performances reflect both the depth and challenges within British women’s tennis ahead of Wimbledon.
Dart Looks Ahead After Painful Defeat
Despite the disappointment, Harriet Dart’s performance offered positives. She matched a top-20 opponent over nearly three hours and held match points. Her level of play showed that she can compete with elite players, especially on grass. The mental and tactical lessons from this match could prove valuable as she prepares for Wimbledon.
Dart remains a key figure in Britain’s tennis landscape, and her grit was evident throughout the match. If she can build on this performance and convert critical points, deeper tournament runs are within reach. Eastbourne was a missed opportunity, but also a reminder of Dart’s potential as the grass-court season reaches its peak.
