Harriet Dart has defeated Italian Camila Giorgi at the Nottingham Open to reach her first-ever quarter-final in a WTA event.
Giorgi, ranked 26 in the world, won the first set in the three sets’ thriller but lost the other two; although, she tied the third before the British walloped her to earn a 5-7 6-4 7-6 (7-3) win.
Dart, who defeated Croatian Donna Vekić that has won three WTA singles in the round of 32, to qualify to feature against Giorgi in round 16, expressed in disbelief to have recorded key match points. He said, “I can’t quite believe it, especially saving those match points.
“It’s my first quarter-final so to be able to do it on home soil is pretty special. “Thank you to the crowd. You really helped me get through that,” Dart appreciated.
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According to BBC Sports, Dart arduously found her opportunity to dominate the tie-break after she slipped down 0-40 on her serve with the Italian leading 5-4. The report underlined that Dart, ranked 114 in the world, remains the only British in the tourney after fellow compatriot Katie Boulter lost 6-3 6-4 to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic late on Thursday evening.
Dart, 25, will challenge world-ranked 40 and American Alison Riske in the quarter-final at Center Court to continue her surge towards the final of the Nottingham Open.