Brave Brit Dart fails to hit bullseye

ASHLEIGH BARTY’S relentless winning Grand Slam streak continued as she showed no mercy by ruthlessly thrashing young English hope Harriet Dart.

The Aussie world No.1 and reigning French Open champion produced her latest masterclass to blitz the British outsider 6-1 6-1 in just under an hour.

Performing before a host of sporting superstars, including many of the England cricket team, tennis legend from Down Under Rod Laver and British Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, Barty more than lived up to the hype and expectations now surrounding her every move.

And the devastating display matched the idyllic surroundings.

After her 15th straight victory on tour, the seemingly unstoppable top seed beamed: “It’s the most beautiful court in the world isn’t it?

“I promised myself I would walk out there, smile and try to take it all in. It was a real privilege to play on it.”

Unfortunately for her opponent, the arena, a partisan crowd and the host of famous names in the Royal Box failed to distract

Barty from becoming the first Aussie to reach the last 16 here since

2010.

Instead, the one-time cricket international ripped through her singles debut on Centre Court – and rubberstamped why she is the one to beat this year.

Displaying her full array of talent, we were treated to savage slices, curling, swerving groundstrokes and general all-round court brilliance.

Which left Arsenal fan Dart, also 23, a goner at these Championships.

Yet after back-to-back wins on tour for the first time, the London lass, 22, was far from down. Quite the opposite. The world No.182 – £111,000 better off than at the start of the week – later declared: “I am super-happy with my performances.

“Today is such a great learning curve, she played great – and never let me in.

“It was a tough lesson, but it’s been a great tournament.

“I handled my emotions much better than in the past. It was pretty cool. Not many can say they played third round at Wimbledon on Centre Court against the world No.1.

“I enjoyed every minute.

It’s a great stepping stone. Even though I lost today, there are so many positives to take.”

The roar when Dart finally

opened account, holding serve to make it 1-5 in the first set was almost as loud as the Red Arrows that flew over SW19 just minutes into the clash.

Dart (above) admitted: “I didn’t know that was coming. But I was so focused on the match – everything else seemed irrelevant.”

Yet every time Dart threatened to make it a contest, she was snuffed out by her rival’s magical, mesmerising touch.

Never more so than in the second set when, at 1-4, Dart had 0-40 on Barty’s serve.

Three brief rallies later it was deuce.

When a fourth opportunity passed her by, that was it.

Brave effort, but game over!

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