Wimbledon 2026: Harriet Dart beaten by former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko
• 2 minute read
British wild card Harriet Dart gave everything in her opening round match against Jelena Ostapenko, but eventually came out on the losing side of a tight three-set contest.
Dart came back from a set down to level the scoreboard but couldn’t find a way past the dominant striking of the Latvian, eventually losing out 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
The Brit was roared on by a packed a vocal home crowd on No.1 Court, who were willing her on throughout the entire two hour and 20 minute battle. However, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist and two-time grass court champion showed her quality in the crucial moments, striking 46 winners across the match to seal her place in the second round.
Despite the loss, there are plenty of positives to take for Dart, who is hoping to use this performance as a stepping stone for the remainder of her season.
“I felt like I was really trying to feed off it - it was an incredible atmosphere out there," Dart reflected. "I love to play on big stages and to be able to play here on No.1 Court again was really incredible."
"I've played at Wimbledon many times now and I also know that many players come and play these tournaments and don't get the opportunity to play on a big court. I know it's invaluable for me just to keep growing and also at the same time, to use it as a springboard to get back where I want to be."
I really felt their support on my side and it was great to have that energy and experience that - it was quite special.
Ostapenko made an electric start on No.1 Court, using her return of serve as a key weapon to race into a 4-0 lead over the Brit. The Latvian won 52% of return points in the opening set (15/29) and, despite Dart reducing the deficit to a single break, Ostapenko went on to close out the set comfortably.
However, the British No.5 came out firing in the second set, capitalising on one of Ostapenko’s 13 double faults to secure an early break before consolidating for a 2-0 lead. Dart did well to soak up the pressure from the world No.31 to maintain her lead - saving all six of the break points she faced to level the scoreboard to a set apiece.
A turbulent decider saw six breaks in the opening seven games, with neither player being able to grab a hold of the final set. Dart had an opportunity at 4-4, but a heavy Ostapenko forehand forced an error into the net before the Latvian held firm to edge ahead 5-4.
Although Ostapenko racked up 50 unforced errors across the match, she tightened up at the crucial moment. A backhand error from Dart handed Ostapenko match point, and the Latvian sealed victory in style with her 46th winner, bringing an early end to Dart’s hopes of a deep run in the women’s singles event.
Dart will return to court later this week alongside doubles partner Maia Lumsden. The all-British duo have enjoyed some stellar results on the grass this summer, including lifting their first WTA 250 title together at the Lexus Nottingham Open and finishing runners-up at the Lexus Birmingham Open.
They will get their campaign underway against Indonesian pair Aldila Sutjiadi and Janice Tjen.
"I'm excited to play doubles here with Maia. I think we've been on some great form recently. We know our opponents pretty well., I think Maia has played Janice Tjen five times in five weeks, which is a bit wild.
"At the same time, its a great opportunity for me to get back out there and gain some confidence at this level and keep taking it with me for the coming months."
Elsewhere, wild card Alicia Dudeney lost out to Alycia Parks, while Mika Stojsavljevic was beaten by 11th seed and former Wimbledon semi-finalist Belinda Bencic. Felix Gill and qualifier Max Basing also exited in first round defeats to 23rd seed Rafael Jodar and Shintaro Mochizuki respectively.
