- Harriet Dart committed ten double faults and was defeated by Marta Kostyuk
- Dart suffered a 7-6, 6-1 defeat and was eliminated from the US Open.
On a sweltering day in New York, it was Harriet Dart’s serve that collapsed. The 28-year-old committed 10 double faults and lost 7-6, 6-1 to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
Dart was comfortably the better player for most of the first set but twice missed his serve and then blew five set points in a tortuous tiebreak characterised by poor serves from both players.
The sun was shining brightly and Dart suggested that might be a factor – the glare when they were throwing up to get it out, as well as the heat. “It was pretty bright,” he said. “We were both struggling a bit.”
“I think everyone was suffering, including the audience. It’s actually easier to play than to sit there directly under the sun, at least you can cool off and sweat.”
Once 19th seed Kostyuk had taken the first-set tiebreak 12-10, she was in complete control and Dart went wild. She gestured angrily toward her box, often after sending another serve into the net.
Britain’s Harriet Dart committed ten double faults in her loss to Marta Kostyuk
Ukraine’s Kostyuk claimed a 7-6, 6-1 victory in the US Open clash.
Dart’s struggles with tennis’ most fundamental shot are nothing new. This number of double faults is unusual, but his second serve cries out to be attacked, pushed with little spin and even less speed.
He’s played well this year and will reach a career-high ranking of No. 68, but to take his game to the next level he needs to inject more venom into that serve or at least make the second serve less vulnerable.
‘I feel like I can win these games. I feel like I can beat anyone I face on the court right now.
Despite the defeat, Dart has ambitions to break into the top 50 before the end of the year.
“The most important thing is to compete with the best and I feel I’m achieving that. I’d like to continue as high as possible and hopefully get into the top 50 before the end of the year.”
Dart’s mother, Susie, has given up her teaching job to travel and coach her daughter. According to Dart, she misses her dog terribly and the family has enjoyed Susie’s fame.
‘My dad thought it was really funny that the dog was mentioned so much. My daughter got a few texts from some parents at school saying, “Have you left? Have you taken a new job?” But she’s going back to school. So she definitely enjoyed her time there, no doubt about it.’