Barbora Krejcikova overcame a tough challenge from Harriet Dart at the Eastbourne Open, battling through windy conditions to secure a 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 victory. The match, lasting two hours and 40 minutes, saw Krejcikova save two match points en route to her second singles win on grass this season, a significant confidence booster as she prepares to defend her Wimbledon title.

The Czech player, currently ranked 17th in the world, has had a challenging year, returning to action only last month after a back injury sidelined her since November. Her performance at Eastbourne demonstrated her resilience and determination to regain her top form.

The match began with both players struggling to find their rhythm in the windy conditions at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club. Krejcikova, in particular, had difficulty with her serve, committing five double faults in the opening set and losing her serve twice. However, after a couple of rain delays, she managed to gather momentum and overpower Dart to take the first set 6-3.

The second set saw Krejcikova's struggles continue, especially with the wind affecting her serve. Tensions flared when she received a time violation, leading to a heated exchange with the umpire. Dart capitalized on Krejcikova's vulnerability, breaking serve to level the set at 6-6 and dominating the tiebreaker as Krejcikova's second serve faltered.

In the deciding set, Dart seized an early advantage, breaking Krejcikova's serve and eventually holding two match points. However, with her back against the wall, Krejcikova elevated her game, displaying the mental fortitude that carried her to the Wimbledon title last year. She fought off the match points and broke back to level the set. A frustrated Dart, visibly deflated after losing her advantage, faltered in her final service game, allowing Krejcikova to break to love and clinch the hard-fought victory.

Krejcikova acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating that she expected a tough challenge from Dart, who enjoys playing on grass and had the advantage of being the home favorite. This win marks a significant step forward for Krejcikova as she seeks to find her form on grass after an early exit at Queen's Club the previous week.

For Dart, the loss is a setback after a promising start to the match. Ranked 124th in the world, she put up a strong fight against a higher-ranked opponent but was ultimately unable to maintain her level when it mattered most.