Harriet Dart beaten by Diane Parry in first round at Wimbledon as British hopes suffer setback

Harriet Dart lost in the first round of Wimbledon to Diane Parry.

Dart was the first of six Brits playing on the opening day of the Grand Slam but couldn’t make a winning start as Parry won 6-7(4) 6-0 6-4.

British No. 4 Dart smashed her racquet after the final point, having missed out on a chance to reach the second round. British No. 2 Jodie Burrage plays later on Monday and British No. 1 Katie Boulter is in action on Tuesday.

Dart looked to be on track to progress after getting the better of a back-and-forth first set against Parry.

Having been 3-0 down, Dart started to find her rhythm and got a break back. She levelled at 5-5 after winning a 24-shot rally with a backhand passing shot into the corner.

Dart then came from 3-1 down to claim the tie-break, winning six of the last seven points. But Parry turned things around impressively in the second set as she surged back to level.

The world No. 96 broke three times in a bagel set while fending off three break points on her own serve. Dart made a perfect start to the deciding set with a break in the opening game.

However, Parry hit straight back, a backhand winner followed by a forehand down the line making it 1-1.

A nervy hold followed for Parry, who then broke for a 3-1 lead with a strong service return.

But Dart replied with a break to love as Parry went long with a drive volley. The match seemed in the balance until the 10th game of the set when Parry got 15-40 ahead on Dart’s serve.

Dart saved one match point but then missed a backhand on the net as Parry clinched the win.

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