Harriet Dart wants to speed back towards a spot in the world’s top 100 after stunning Croatian ace Donna Vekic at the LTA’s Rothesay Open.
The Hampstead star, who is on the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme – the highest level of support for players aged 16-24 – toppled former world No.19 Vekic 6-4 6-3 in the first round to kickstart her Nottingham campaign in style.
Dart, 25, soared up to a ranking of world No.99 in March before a tricky clay court season saw her fall just outside the globe’s coveted top 100.
The Londoner knows a run deep in the Midlands can catapult her back to the big time and hopes her Monday triumph can lay the foundations for another red-hot rise.
Asked if she was targeting a spot back in the world’s top 100, Dart said: “Yes, for sure.
“At the end of the day, I want to win matches week in, week out and then the rankings will take care of themselves.
“For me, it's just more of a focus on each match as it comes.
“I don't really have too many goals for this grass court season – I want to enjoy each match, put in good performances, win against each player and try to do it each match.
"Clay is not my best surface, and that’s something I hope to improve on.
“But I know I can play a really good level on grass – it doesn’t take much to swing a match and today has definitely given me some confidence.
“I knew I had to bring my A-game today and in patches I did play really well.
"I've definitely made strides in the right direction – I’ve had a little bit of a rough period recently but it's great to get a win on the board on home soil.”
That winning feeling 😃#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #RothesayOpen | @harriet_dart pic.twitter.com/N8W1OiRhWi
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 6, 2022
Dart came flying out of the blocks against Vekic – the current world No.100 – to take the first set 6-4.
And she carried on where she left off in the second to complete a comfortable straight sets triumph with a 6-3 victory.
Dart toppled reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 19, in the last 64 of the Nottingham event last year before the Bromley ace embarked on a remarkable rise to the Grand Slam summit.
And speaking about her compatriot’s journey, Dart added: “She's had an amazing run.
“All of us British girls practice together so I was aware of her – I was always expecting a tough match last year but I managed to come through.
“What she's been able to do over the last year has been remarkable.
"I think anything is possible - anyone can play a good level at any given day and beat anyone. Consistency is the key for rankings.
"Everyone can play good tennis – it’s about doing it every match. Emma has had an amazing year.”
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.
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