Harriet Dart's departure from the US Open on 3 September 2026 marked the end of British representation in the women's singles draw, following a straight-sets loss to Czech 25th seed Marie Bouzkova. The 30-year-old fell 6-2 6-2 in sweltering New York heat, leaving Fran Jones as the sole remaining British player in either singles competition at Flushing Meadows.
Dart struggled to find her rhythm throughout the match as temperatures climbed to approximately 30 degrees Celsius. She deployed ice towels around her neck and used cold-air hoses during changeovers in an attempt to manage the conditions. According to ESPN's match report, the contest lasted 1 hour and 17 minutes, with Dart experiencing a coughing fit after the final point.
What affected Dart's performance?
Dart attributed her difficulties to illness and the physical toll of consecutive weeks of competition.
I have been a bit under the weather. It is what it is, sadly,she explained.
It was quite warm. I had a temperature, I was trying to cool down. I've played many weeks in a row.
The British player, ranked 131st in the world, also highlighted the challenge of rapid temperature changes between outdoor and indoor environments.
I am not used to air conditioning being pumped everywhere. We go from really hot outside to freezing inside.Her serve proved particularly vulnerable, with eight double faults and a first-serve success rate of only 45% against Bouzkova's consistent pressure.
Bouzkova seized control almost immediately, winning seven consecutive games to claim the opening set and establish a double break in the second. Dart could not recover from this early deficit, and Bouzkova progressed to the third round, where she will face Polish eighth seed Iga Swiatek.
How did other British players fare?
Dart's exit followed a broader retreat of British talent from the tournament. Katie Boulter had already exited the women's draw on 2 September, defeated by Karolina Muchova in just 58 minutes during their second-round encounter. In the men's competition, Jacob Fearnley and Toby Samuel both lost in the second round, while Cameron Norrie, Arthur Fery, Harry Wendelken and Jan Choinski all departed in the first round.
This represented a significant contraction for British tennis at the US Open. Dart had ended a 19-month Grand Slam drought by defeating American qualifier Peyton Stearns 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the first round, but her second-round exit meant she could not extend that run further.
Who remains in contention for Britain?
Jones became Britain's last hope in the singles draws following Dart's loss. According to ESPN's tournament schedule, she was scheduled to face American 14th seed Iva Jovic later on 3 September at Stadium 17. The outcome of that match would determine whether Britain retained any representation in the singles competition beyond that point.
Key Facts
- Harriet Dart lost 6-2 6-2 to Marie Bouzkova in the second round on 3 September 2026
- Dart is ranked 131st in the world and struggled with illness and heat during the match
- Fran Jones remained the sole British singles player still in the tournament after Dart's exit
- Katie Boulter, Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel and four other British men had already exited the competition
- Bouzkova advanced to face Iga Swiatek in the third round
