Dart kicks off Surbiton campaign with hard-fought win

Harriet Dart is looking forward to improving her run at the LTA's Lexus Surbiton Trophy after kicking off her grass court season with a battling win over Belgian Magali Kempen. The Hampstead player, who is supported by the LTA's PSP Programme, grabbed a 2-6 6-4 6-3 triumph against the qualifier on Wednesday afternoon. Ad Dart, 26, showed huge heart after a disappointing performance in the opening set as she looks to rediscover her grass court form from last season, where she reached the third round of Wimbledon for the second successive year.

TennisMaia Lumsden believes tough Surbiton test will stand her in good stead11 MINUTES AGO The British No.4 will now face Tatjana Maria in the last 16 and believes her best is yet to come after shaking off some early cobwebs in West London. «I definitely started a bit slower and I knew she was always going to be a bit tricky,» she said. «She came through qualifiers and has had two matches, but I haven't had any matches.

»You can practice as much as you want but at the end of the day, matches are key. «I was just really pleased with how I fought and how I managed to dig out the win. »She has had two matches, she is feeling confident, I didn't start great and then especially on grass, it can get away quite quickly just because of the surface.

«I felt like she served really well and I didn't really get an opportunity until the second set in the last game to break her. »The difference is I was able to take it and then I went up a level. «I don't think I have played on the centre court for a couple of years — it's big, it's open and it is very windy.