Dart off to a flier on day to forget for British hopes
QUALIFIER Harriet Dart bucked the trend of British disappointment on the second day of action at the Australian Open to record her first main-draw victory at Melbourne Park in dramatic fashion.
Twelve months after failing to win a game against Maria Sharapova, Dart won nine of the last 10 points to beat Japan’s Misaki Doi 2-6 6-4 7-6 (6) after two hours and 49 minutes to book a secondround date with Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.
It was a much-needed British success story after defeats for Johanna Konta, Kyle Edmund, Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie.
Konta was the 12th seed but lasted little over an hour against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur before going down 6-4 6-2 – the first time she has lost in the opening round at Melbourne Park.
The considerable mitigating factor was that Konta had only played one match since a quarter-final loss at the US Open in early September because of a knee injury.
Edmund had a tough draw against in-form 24th seed Dusan Lajovic but had led 5-2 when rain arrived on Monday.
Lajovic won three straight games on the resumption, though, and took the opening set on a tiebreak.
The match continued to be close but any glimmers for Edmund were snuffed out by Lajovic, who completed the 7-6 (7) 6-3 7-6 (4) victory with a running forehand winner.
Boulter also had a very tough draw against fifth seed Elina Svitolina and acquitted herself well before going down 6-4 7-5.
Norrie led France’s PierreHugues Herbert by two sets to one but let his momentum slip away and fell to a 7-5 3-6 3-6 7-5 6-4 defeat.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal eased into the second round to begin his bid for a record-tying 20th grand-slam title.
Nadal’s victory at the US Open last summer brought him to within one of Roger Federer’s mark.
Melbourne has been home to Nadal’s least successful slam, with his only title coming 11 years ago, although he has reached four finals since, including last year’s defeat by Novak Djokovic. Nadal made a convincing start with a 6-2 6-3 6-0 victory over Hugo Dellien, the first Bolivian to play in the Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios is carrying home pressure as the leading Australian man following the withdrawal of
Alex Kyrgios’ De Minaur stock through is high injury. at the moment, thanks to his efforts in leading tennis’ response to the wildfire crisis, and he kept his focus on court in a 6-2 7-6 (3) 7-6 (1) victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
Meanwhile, Sharapova offered no guarantees she will be back at the Australian Open after defeat to Donna Vekic. Ongoing shoulder problems limited Sharapova to a handful of tournaments last year and her ranking is projected to drop to world No.366 as a result of the 6-3 6-4 loss to the 19th-seeded Croatian. The Russian, who needed a wild card, cut a disconsolate figure and, asked whether she will be here next year, replied: “I don’t know.” Second seed Karolina Pliskova continued her winning run after lifting the warm-up title in Brisbane with a 6-1 7-5 victory over France’s Kristina Mladenovic. Halep battled to a 7-6 (5) 6-1 victory over big-hitting American Jennifer Brady.