Harriet Dart and Fran Jones Advance in US Open Qualifying

Harriet Dart and Fran Jones began their attempts to reach the US Open singles main draw with first-round qualifying victories in New York. BBC Sport reported that both British players advanced on Tuesday, although their routes through the opening round were different as Dart needed three sets and Jones won in straight sets.

Watch the highlights:

Dart defeated American Jordyn Hazelitt 6-0, 6-7 (1-7), 6-1 after losing the second-set tie-break. Her next opponent will be another American 16-year-old, Kristina Penickova. Dart has previously competed in the US Open main draw four times and has twice reached the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Jones beat Italy's Nuria Brancaccio 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second qualifying round. She will next play Germany's Mona Barthel. Jones came through qualifying at the US Open for the first time last year, and this week's event gives her another opportunity to earn a place in the main draw.

There were also British exits in both qualifying competitions. Jodie Burrage lost 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 to Spain's Guiomar Maristany in the women's event. In the men's draw, Henry Searle was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by American 16-year-old Michael Antonius, who now faces former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in round two.

Several established players also moved forward. Nishikori, now 36, recovered after losing the second set to defeat Austria's Sebastian Ofner 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. Former US Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov beat Italy's Lorenzo Giustino 6-0, 6-3, while 2019 women's champion Bianca Andreescu recorded a 6-1, 6-2 win over Dutch player Eva Vedder.

BBC Sport also reported that Heather Watson is due to continue her campaign against Spain's Angela Fita Boluda on Wednesday. British men Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel, Billy Harris, Harry Wendelken and Jack Pinnington Jones are also scheduled to return to qualifying action. Players must win three qualifying matches to enter the singles main draw, which is set to begin on Sunday.