Australian Open 2025: Harriet Dart and Heather Watson reach second qualifying round in Melbourne
Updated 06/01/2025 at 10:07 GMT
Two Britons advanced past the opening qualifying round at the 2025 Australian Open, as Harriet Dart and Heather Watson both booked their spots in the second qualifying round in Melbourne. Dart overcame home player Lizette Cabrera in straight sets, while Heather Watson went the distance with Lola Radivojevic in an epic encounter. Elsewhere, Dan Evans went out to Japan's James Trotter.
Hear her roar! Watson battles through Australian Open qualifying opener
Video credit: TNT Sports
Harriet Dart and Heather Watson both booked their place in the second qualifying round at the 2025 Australian Open, but fellow Briton Dan Evans slumped to defeat to end his hopes of featuring in the main draw.
Dart overcame home hope Lizette Cabrera in straight sets, sealing a 6-2 7-6(5) victory as she bids to reach the tournament proper for the fifth time in her career.
But the 28-year-old was made to work for her place in the second qualifying round, where she bowed out last year following a defeat to the United States' Grace Min in straight sets.
In her contest with Cabrera, the pair quickly broke each other at the first time of asking, before Dart secured a double break over her 27-year-old opponent to take a comfortable first set at the Show Court Arena.
But she struggled to get over the line in the second set and fell to a two-game disadvantage, before instantly breaking back.
Cabrera broke again in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead as she headed for an equalising set, but once again, the resilient Dart hit back straight away.
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Dart advances in Australian Open qualifying with win over Cabrera
Video credit: TNT Sports
A tie-break was needed to separate the duo, which went in the way of the battling British No. 4, on her third match point.
Watson moved past the opening qualifying round for the first time since 2022, after she beat Lola Radivojevic in an encounter which included a mammoth second set tie-break.
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Following a tight opening set which the Brit clinched, Watson kept a straight-sets win in contention when she denied Radivojevic to break in the 10th game for 5-5.
She then forced a thrilling tie-break, which included two match points for Watson and seven set points for Radivojevic, which the latter eventually edged 16-14.
But despite her opponent's effort, Watson made much lighter work of the decider to book her spot in the next round, coming through 7-5 6-7(14) 6-2, letting out a huge roar after sealing match point.
Big setback for Evans
Elsewhere, the 34-year-old Evans was beaten in three sets against Japan's James Trotter and will not play at the season-opening major for the first time since 2018.
It is the first time the former world No. 21 has failed to move past the qualifiers since 2014.
Evans lost his match against Trotter 4-6 6-3 6-3 to end his run of 17 successive Grand Slam appearances.
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Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+
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