Harriet Dart overcomes courtside self-deprecating rant to seal big US Open win

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Harriet Dart overcame a moment of frustration to earn the biggest win of her career at the US Open. The British No 2 slammed herself for being “unfit” before bouncing back to earn both her first US Open win and first top 10 win over Daria Kasatkina 7-6(8) 1-6 6-3.

Dart rallied from 0-2 down in the final set of her clash with world No 9 Kasatkina to earn her first victory over a top 10 player in what was also her first main-draw match win in Flushing Meadows. But the 26-year-old was made to work hard in the two-hour-and-31-minute encounter, losing her cool early in the third as she ranted about her own fitness.

Having gone a break down to last week’s Granby champion to start the third set, the world No 88 could be seen tossing her racket to the ground after missing a shot at the net, shouting towards her box as she retreated to the baseline. “You’re so unfit,” the Brit berated herself, having also just lost the second set 6-1.

But it seems the outburst was exactly what Dart needed, as she managed to save a break point to get on the board at 1-2 in the third set before breaking back for 2-2. When Kasatkina broke in the next game to regain her advantage, the London native levelled things once more.

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Dart finally took the lead as she held for 4-3 and managed to break to serve for the match. She then found herself facing two more break points at 15-40 but reeled off four points in a row to seal the victory and advance to the second round of the US Open for the first time in her career, winning every game from 2-3* down in the third.

“To be honest I’m a little bit in shock right now,” she told Amazon Prime Video after earning her first win over a top 10 player. “Physically I don’t feel great but I really just tried to stick at it and push through, and I can’t believe I got the win.”

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The four-time ITF title winner also explained how she managed to change her mindset following her self-depreciating rant, adding: “I was just saying ‘just keep competing, keep working hard, if she plays too good tennis that’s just too good’.”

Dart now has a good chance of equalling her career-best showing at a Grand Slam as she faces world No 91 Dalma Galfi for a spot in the third round. “I do know her a little bit,” the British No 2 said of her next opponent. “To be honest I don’t look at the draw so yeah, I haven’t really thought about it yet obviously. [I will] definitely eat, shower, recover as well as possible and get ready for the next one.”

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