On a sweltering day in New York it was Harriet Dart’s serve that melted down. The 28-year-old served 10 double faults as she lost 7-6, 6-1 to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
Dart was comfortably the better player for most of the first set but twice failed to serve it out and then let five set points slip away in a torturous tiebreak characterised by awful serving from both players.
The sun was blazing down and Dart suggested that could be a factor – the glare as they threw up to serve, as well as the heat. ‘It was pretty bright,’ she said. ‘Both of us were struggling a little bit.
‘Think everyone was suffering out there, crowd included. Actually, it’s easier playing than sitting there directly in the sun, at least you’re kind of being able to cool down, sweating it out.’
Once No19 seed Kostyuk had edged that first-set breaker 12-10 she was in total control and Dart spiralled. She gesticulated angrily at her box – often after dumping yet another serve into the net.
Britain’s Harriet Dart served ten double faults in her defeat against Marta Kostyuk
Kostyuk of Ukraine managed to prevail with a 7-6, 6-1 victory in the US Open clash
Dart’s issues with the most fundamental shot in tennis are nothing new. This number of double faults is unusual but her second serve is begging to be attacked – pushed in with little spin and even less pace.
She has played well this year and will rise to a career-high ranking of around 68. But to take her game to the next level she must inject some more venom into that serve, or at least make the second delivery less vulnerable.
‘I feel like I can win these matches. I feel like anyone I step on court against now I’m confident I can take it to them.
Despite the defeat Dart has ambitions of breaking into the top 50 before the end of the year
‘The main thing is to be to be there competing with the very best and I feel like I’m doing that. I’d like to just keep going as high as possible and hopefully break top 50 before the end of the year.’
Dart’s mother Susie has been taking time out from her teaching job to travel as her daughter’s coach. She is missing their dog terribly, says Dart, and the family have enjoyed Susie’s brush with fame.
‘My dad found it very amusing that the dog got mentioned a lot. She had a few texts from some school parents saying, “Have you left? Have you taken a new job?” But she’ll be going back to school. So she’s definitely enjoyed her time, for sure.’
