Dart leads British charge after opening round feat

Darts were the shining light on a day that saw Heather Watson lose a tight battle in three sets and Katie Boulter and Amelia Rajecki also exited in the first round.

Her win over qualifier Uchijima marks her sixth straight-sets win on the tour since stunning Camila Osorio in 2022.

The 27-year-old admitted she felt nervous ahead of her opener following the world No.72’s two qualifying rounds, but Dart managed to keep her concerns at bay with her attacking approach on the day.

“I’m really excited to win,” Dart said.

“He’s already had two matches on these courts, so I knew it was going to be a very tough match.

“She (Uchijima) has had a great season so far and on these grass courts, every week is a bit different so it was great to adapt quickly.

The Brit is making her eighth appearance on the manicured turf at Edgbaston Priory Club, having recorded her best run last year when she beat then fifth seed Anhelina Kalinina to reach the quarter-finals .

Speaking about the changes to the British grass court calendar next year, Dart said: “It’s great to be back in Birmingham.

“I’m a little sad that this is the last year we’ll have a WTA here; I’ve always loved the club feel.

“A lot of people come and watch and a lot of kids too and it was nice to have a lot of my family come today.”

Dart’s grass campaign continues on the back of her opening clash at the Rothesay Open Nottingham, where she lost to the eventual champion, the British No.1. Katie Boulter.

She is scheduled to play former Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikcova in the second round as she looks to secure her second quarter-final in Birmingham and first of the 2024 grass-court season.

Keep up with the latest results and updates at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham