Dart misses match points in defeat by Wimbledon champion Krejcikova

In the Eastbourne first round, a depressed Harriet Dart narrowly lost to Barbora Krejcikova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, to two match points on her own.

On a wet and windy day on the coast, 124 Dart lost to Krejcikova, who is 17th overall, 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-5.

The majority of the final set was dominated by a break for Britain’s Dart, who finished the match 5-4.

The 28-year-old Englishwoman was broken back before losing the next three games, but she could not hide her annoyance even with a 40-15 lead.

Krejcikova, a two-time major champion in singles, had previously served for the match at 6-5 in the second set.

Following a protracted layoff with a back injury, Czech Krejcikova has only played five games this year.

She lost her first grass-court encounter last week at Queen’s, but her confident victory over Dart will help her prepare for her Wimbledon title defense.

In the second round, Jodie Burrage will face Krejcikova, a British player.

Burrage defeated Moyuka Uchijima from Japan 6-3, 6-2, after missing last year’s Wimbledon due to an ankle problem.