Eastbourne International: Harriet Dart sets up Elena Rybakina clash after hard-fought Marie Bouzkova win
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Updated 24/06/2024 at 20:08 GMT
Harriet Dart will play world No. 4 Elena Rybakina in the Eastbourne International second round after defeating Marie Bouzkova 7-5 6-7(7-9), 6-4. Dart trailed 4-1 in both the first and second sets, but managed to turn the encounter around. The 27-year-old later revealed she had been struggling with wisdom tooth pain in the run-up to and during the match.
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Harriet Dart won a three-hour, 29-minute rollercoaster encounter against Marie Bouzkova at the Eastbourne International, setting up a round-of-16 match against Elena Rybakina.
The 27-year-old had trailed her Czech opponent 4-1 during both the first and second sets, but dug deep to triumph 7-5 6-7(7) 6-4.
The first set saw Dart broken twice as Bouzkova roared into the lead. The world No. 105 responded with two break points of her own as she won four games on the bounce to lead 5-4.
After winning a game apiece, Dart then wrapped up the opener by breaking Bouzkova with her third set point.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Dart bouncing back from a 4-1 deficit. This time she could only force the set to a tie-break, during which she saved three set points but allowed Bouzkova to draw level with an off-target forehand.
Dart and Bouzkova traded break points at the start of the deciding set, but the home favourite could not be caught once she had established a 3-1 lead and was able to serve out the match at the first opportunity.
It was Dart's best victory of the year by ranking, with Bouzkova sitting 68 places above her in the standings.
The result became even more impressive when Dart revealed she had been struggling with her wisdom teeth in her post-match interview.
"It was an incredible match, so many ups and downs," she told the BBC. "Marie's an incredible fighter and always makes it tough. I'm very happy that it turned my way this time."
Up next on Wednesday is world No. 4 Rybakina, who received a bye into the second round.
The former Wimbledon champion has won all three matches she has played against Dart, including in the Eastbourne International first round in 2021.
There was an all-British encounter in the men’s draw, with Billy Harris beating fellow wild card Jacob Fearnley 6-4 7-6 (7).
The 29-year-old was set to come up against Tommy Paul, but the newly crowned Queen's champion recently withdrew from Eastbourne. Harris will now play compatriot and lucky loser Charles Broom on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Gael Monfils defeated Dominic Thiem after a six-match losing streak, triumphing 6-3 7-6(3) in the Mallorca Championships first round.
The 37-year-old impressed on serve, hitting 13 aces, winning 90% of first-serve points and not conceding a single break point.
Up next for Monfils is Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, who overcame compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in a third-set tie-break.
Over in Germany, the Bad Homburg Open first-round encounter between Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki was suspended due to high humidity.
Svitolina was narrowly leading 3-6 7-6(4) 2-1, having just broken her opponent. But with the court growing increasingly slippy and Wozniacki suffering a fall, it was decided to resume the match on Tuesday.
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