Harriet Dart believes Indian Wells run is career “turning point”

Britain’s Harriet Dart says her performance at this year’s Indian Wells is a “turning point” in her career, despite her loss to Madison Keys in the fourth round in California. 

Dart was forced to come through qualification to make the main draw of the tournament but won five matches in a row to reach the last 16. 

This included victories over Lesley Kerkhove, Anastasia Gasanova, Ana Konjuh, Kaia Kanepi and most notably Elina Svitolina. 

Ukraine’s Svitolina is a former world number three and was seeded 12th for this year’s event. But Dart recovered from a set down to stun the 27-year-old and secure the biggest win of her career so far. 

Eventually, the Brit’s remarkable run was ended by US star Keys, who beat Dart in straight sets 6-1 6-4. 

Nonetheless, the 25-year-old is now set to break into the world’s top 100 for the first time and has the potential to move even higher if she manages to maintain her current form. 

Speaking to BBC after her defeat to Keys, Dart said: “This week has been an incredible turning point for me. 

“To try and not forget about the good matches that I have played this week is super important.

“I thought Madison played a great match today and I think she would have beaten most people. I was definitely a little bit flat – a sixth match was maybe a step too far.”

Dart had the chance to break Keys early on in their match but failed to create any further openings thereafter. 

Keys has been one of the in-form players in the world this year, however, and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January. 

Dart can therefore take plenty of positives from her showing in California and there is now even more reason to be excited about British women’s tennis. 

Emma Raducanu stormed to victory at