admin
An impressive and composed performance from Hannah Klugman saw her defeat fellow Brit Harriet Dart in straight-sets and claim her first win at WTA tour level in the first round of the Lexus Nottingham Open.
Having lost in qualifying at the weekend, the 17-year-old was handed a second chance following a late withdrawal in the main draw and she duly delivered on home soil, beating Dart 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 21 minutes to earn her spot in the second round of the WTA 250 event.
It has been quite the day for the teenager as, alongside her first win at tour level, she also received a wildcard for the main draw at Wimbledon.
Playing her first match at tour level in Nottingham last year, losing in the first round, the former world number one at junior level was not fazed by the occasion this time around and made an impressive start by winning the first three games before going on to win the first set 6-2.
Although the British number five, Harriet, broke first in the second set to take a 4-2 lead, the youngster responded superbly well and showcased her maturity to win the next four games and book her spot in the next round of the tournament.
“I was at home this morning, I obviously lost on Sunday,” Klugman said, while beaming in her on-court interview after the match. “I went back home, and was first up so my coach was telling me we had to drive up at 5am this morning so it’s been a long day for me.
“I’m so proud to get my first win today. It was tough to play another Brit, someone I’ve watched since I was younger but that’s pretty special as well to get your first win. I’m ready for the next round.”
“I think because I lost on Sunday, I had to take this chance – I had to give it my all and I did that. I didn’t play with any fear and I didn’t want to have any regrets after this match. “I’d love to do what Katie Boulter’s done – to win twice here. I’m taking it one match at a time and just trying to enjoy this moment too.”
And that was quite evident in her performance on Centre Court, winning 77% (27/35) of points behind her first serve while taking 61% (17/28) of Dart’s second-serve points.
Hannah will now face the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova in the round of 16 and is the only remaining Brit left in the competition after Alicia Dudeney was beaten by Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.
Losing the first set 6-4, where she lost serve on her final service game, the 23-year-old managed to break the world’s number 50 serve to take a 4-2 lead and had the opportunity to serve for the second set at 5-3, but was unable to do so and the Ukrainian fought back to eventually claim a 6-4, 7-6 victory.
Another Lucky Loser following a number of withdrawals in the main draw, Alicia continues her excellent start to the 2026 season and has also been handed a wildcard for the Wimbledon main draw later this month.
On the men’s side in Nottingham, former champion Jacob Fearnley fought back from a set down to defeat Dane Sweeney in three sets to maintain his strong run of form on grass.
Having finished as runners-up at the Lexus Ilkley Open at the weekend, Fearnley looked to continue where he left off at this tournament, but gave himself a mountain to climb after losing a gruelling opening-set tie-break 6-7 (16).
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, on the court where he claimed his maiden ATP challenger title in 2024, the British number three showcased his character to turn the match around in the following two sets – winning 6-1, 6-2 – to mark his return with a victory.
That was the cherry on top of an excellent couple of hours for the 24-year-old, who received a wildcard to the main draw for Wimbledon in just a couple of weeks time.
He is one of four Brits left in the tournament with Jay Clarke, Felix Gill and Billy Harris also reaching the Round of 16.
