British qualifier Harriet Dart is aiming to advance to the third round of the US Open for the first time in five attempts, as she prepares to face former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Marie Bouzkova in New York. The 30-year-old Londoner, currently based in Dubai, highlighted the unpredictable nature of tennis and pointed to Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory as a testament to the potential for breakthroughs at the tournament.

Raducanu’s run to the title was historic, as she won the championship without dropping a set, having entered the main draw through qualifying rounds. Dart noted that such achievements underline the fact that, in tennis, outcomes can be surprising and that on any given day, players have the chance to perform at their best or be upset.

“Could someone else come through qualifying to win it? Madder things have happened. So, why not?” Dart said ahead of her match. “Everyone can play really good tennis and it’s all on the day. You’ve seen it these last few weeks. Everyone can win — and everyone can lose. It’s all about doing the best you can on the day.”

Dart, who has participated in the US Open main draw on multiple occasions, is seeking to capitalize on her experience and recent form to make one of her best Grand Slam showings. Her upcoming match against Bouzkova presents a significant challenge, as the Czech player has previously reached the later stages of Wimbledon and brings substantial grass-court success to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.

This year’s US Open has seen a number of unexpected results, reinforcing the notion that the major championships frequently provide a platform for emerging talents and qualifiers to make significant impacts. Dart’s optimistic outlook reflects a broader awareness among players that tennis’s highly competitive field can produce surprising narratives, similar to Raducanu’s unprecedented triumph five years ago.