Harriet Dart Soars into US Open Second Round as Choinski Falls Short in Five-Set Epic

Harriet Dart delivered a commanding performance to surge into the second round of the US Open, while fellow Briton Jan Choinski saw his New York main-draw debut end in heartbreak after a grueling five-set contest. Dart, currently Britain’s third-ranked female player, needed just 75 minutes to sweep aside France’s Chloe Paquet with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory, showcasing a blend of power and precision that bodes well for her tournament prospects.

The 27-year-old’s sharp serving and aggressive baseline play never allowed Paquet to find a rhythm, with Dart breaking serve five times in a match that was largely one-way traffic. This marks the second consecutive year Dart has advanced to the second round at Flushing Meadows, as she continues to build momentum in a season that has seen steady progress.

In stark contrast, Jan Choinski’s debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam was a marathon of endurance and mental fortitude, ultimately ending in a 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 loss to Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena. The British men’s number 10 had to navigate three rounds of qualifying to reach this stage but fell just short in an epic five-set battle that stretched over four hours.

Choinski’s match began ominously as a flurry of unforced errors saw him drop the first two sets. However, the 27-year-old showed remarkable resilience to claw his way back, taking the third set and edging a tense fourth-set tiebreak to force a decider. The momentum seemed to be shifting in Choinski’s favor, but a failure to convert any of five break points in the opening game of the final set proved costly. Carballes Baena capitalized on his opponent’s missed opportunities, securing the crucial break before closing out the match.

Reflecting on his debut, Choinski remained upbeat despite the defeat. “All in all, I’m happy with how I performed in this match, and it’s something I can build on in the future for sure,” said Choinski, who revealed he had been battling a “full-blown cold and sinusitis” in the days leading up to the tournament.

While Dart progresses to the next round, four other British players—Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, and Dan Evans—are set to begin their campaigns on Tuesday in what promises to be an exciting day for British tennis fans.

This year’s US Open also marks a significant chapter in British tennis as it is the first Grand Slam since former world number one Andy Murray announced his retirement following the Paris Olympics last month. Murray’s absence leaves a void in the men’s draw, but the emergence of new British talents like Dart and Choinski offers hope for the future.

As the tournament continues, British eyes will remain on Dart as she aims to build on her impressive opening-round performance and make a deep run at Flushing Meadows.