Harriet Dart 'a top 10 player' as she reaches last 16 of Indian Wells

Paula Badosa has described Harriet Dart as “a top 10 player” after the British star progressed into the fourth round at Indian Wells.

Dart has enjoyed a brilliant run at the WTA 1000 event, coming through two rounds of qualifying to enter the main draw and reach the last 16.

She earned the biggest win of her career in the second round, coming back from one set down to defeat world number 18 Elina Svitolina 2-6 6-3 6-3.

The 25-year-old then overcame Kaia Kanepi 7-6, 6-3 to set up a clash with Australian Open finalist Madison Keys.

Dart gained a new fan after her victory against Kanepi – Indian Wells defending champion Badosa.

“In WTA anything can happen,” Badosa said, according to WTA Insider. “The level has improved a lot.

“Yesterday I was watching tennis. I saw an insane match. Then you see the ranking. It was a girl [ranked] 120. She played like top 10 level.”

Dart was indeed ranked outside of the world’s top 120 going into Indian Wells, but she is now projected to finish the tournament at a career-high of 99th.

Paula Badosa: "In WTA anything can happen. The level has improved a lot. Yesterday I was watching tennis. I saw an insane match. Then you see the ranking. It was a girl [ranked] 120. She played like Top 10 level.”The player in question? Harriet Dart. #IndianWells

If she can advance further than the fourth round, she will likely move up even higher.

Dart is yet to win a WTA title, but she has earned ​​four singles and 14 doubles titles on the ITF Circuit. Even if she loses to Keys, this will be her best ever performance at a WTA 1000 event.

The Briton has progressed further at Indian Wells than compatriot Emma Raducanu, who was defeated 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 by Croatia’s Petra Martić in the third round.

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