In a match disrupted by rain and filled with momentum swings, Dart came within a point of a signature win, holding a 40–15 lead on serve at 5–4 in the final set. But the Czech player, seeded second in the tournament and currently ranked 17th in the world, dug deep to turn the match around, ultimately prevailing 6–3, 6–7 (4), 7–5.
The win marks just Krejcikova’s second of the season, as her year began late due to a back injury that kept her off tour until May. With Wimbledon fast approaching, the 29-year-old is using Eastbourne as a crucial warmup event ahead of her title defense at the All England Club next week. Her previous outing on grass, at Queen’s Club, ended in a first-round exit.
In other action, British hopeful Emma Raducanu mounted a comeback of her own, recovering from a set down to defeat American Ann Li 6–7 (5), 6–3, 6–1. The 2021 U.S. Open champion, seeded seventh at Eastbourne, will face 17-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the next round. Joint made headlines a day earlier by knocking out Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist.
Meanwhile, there was an early upset for the fourth seed, Sofia Kenin of the U.S., who fell in straight sets to Australia's Kimberly Birrell, 6–4, 6–4. The result adds to the unpredictability of the women’s draw as players seek form and rhythm ahead of the Grand Slam showdown at Wimbledon.
The Eastbourne Open continues this week with a mix of seasoned champions and emerging talents sharpening their grass-court games on the eve of one of tennis’s biggest stages.