Katie Boulter came out on top in an all-British clash at the Nottingham Open against Harriet Dart, but the latter was left furious with the umpire at one stage of the match.
Dart has enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign after reaching her first WTA Tour-level semi-final at the Transylvania Open back in February.
She also qualified for the French Open main draw for the first time in her career last month.
The 27-year-old has now turned her attention to the grasscourt season where she was drawn to face fellow Brit Boulter in the first round of the Nottingham Open.
Harriet Dart was furious with the umpire
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Boulter is the No 4 seed and defending champion, but Dart threatened a surprise win after taking the first set.
Tensions boiled over in the second set as Dart felt wronged by a decision from the umpire.
Dart reacted furiously when a shot from Boulter was called out by a line judge, only for umpire Kelly Rask to overrule the decision.
“The ball is so far out, this is embarrassing, you’re embarrassing yourself,” Dart shouted.
“You should be embarrassed.”
The point was replayed with Dart’s fury still evident after she lost it.
She placed the ball on the ground and added: “It was here, no joke, everyone here knows it.”
Rask then issued a word of warning to the British No 2 over her continued angry rant.
The umpire said: “Harriet, stop now or you’re going to get a code (violation), I’ve had enough now. That’s it.”
Katie Boulter came from a set down to beat Harriet Dart
REUTERS
The angry exchange continued after the game finished as Dart demanded to see the match referee before making a five-figure bet with the umpire.
Dart said: “I’ve got a reason to call the referee, because of the calling, I’d like them to watch.
“If we watch that back I can promise you, I would back £50,000 that ball is out, I’d shake your hand now. It’s a joke how far that was out.”
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Harriet Dart vented to the referee
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Dart spoke to the match referee Jane Harvey a few games later, where she accused Rask of ‘threatening’ her with a code violation.
Boulter was able to keep her composure on the other side of the net to force a decider in an entertaining clash.
The match was level going into the 11th game of the third set, before Boulter took her opportunity to break before serving out the match in the following game.