Swan takes flight
KATIE SWAN shared hugs and kisses with her fans and family as she became the first British woman to make it into the second round of Wimbledon this year.
The 19-year-old British No7 was brilliant as she out-hit Romanian IrinaCamelia Begu, ranked 168 places above her, 6-2, 6-2 on a packed Court 14.
Afterwards she skipped into the crowd and highfived family members and spectators in celebration of a victory that made up for the disappointment of 21-year-old Harriet Dart’s earlier defeat.
Swan, who is represented by Andy Murray’s group 77 Sports Management, said: “Andy has been really nice to me. He was my idol growing up. I was pretty nervous because I wanted to win. It is something I have dreamed of. I want to thank all the people who have helped me. There will probably be a house party.”
Dart suffered an agonising fall as she was starting to dominate seventh seed and former world No1 Karolina Pliskova.
After losing the first set 7-6, Dart was leading 4-1 in the second when she slipped on the baseline and lay in a heap.
It was two minutes before she could get to her feet; she had medical attention on court then retreated to the locker room for further treatment, emerging five minutes later with strapping on her right thigh.
Somehow she won the set but the pain began to handicap her and she went out 7-6, 2-6, 6-1.
The British No 5, is no stranger to injury and illness but is not sure what to make of this one. “It was a tricky fall and I still don’t know what the injury is,” she said.