How Raducanu’s ex-coach and getting over a ‘toxic’ boyfriend inspired....

Dart credits a happier life off the court for a reason why results are improving on it, and the 26-year-old will have a career-high ranking after the US Open

After recording one of the best wins of her career at the US Open, Harriet Dart is now one victory away from displacing Emma Raducanu as the British No 1.

The fact she could do so under the guidance of Raducanu’s former coach will be ironic for some, but nevertheless it appears far from coincidental that in Niger Sears – Andy Murray’s father-in-law – 26-year-old Dart has found a partnership that works.

Having worked with Sears – who oversaw Raducanu’s run to the round of 16 at last year’s Wimbledon – since the start of the year, Dart broke into the WTA’s top 100 in March after reaching the last 16 at Indian Wells and now ranked No 88, she will overtake Raducanu with victory over Dalma Galfi on Wednesday.

It’s a combination of things,” said Dart, when asked what has changed this year. “I started working with a new coach in January, and I always knew my level was there. It was just about being able to consistently produce it.

“I think the big week for me was at Indian Wells. To be able to get consistent wins against really great players showed me it’s just about putting it all together.”

Beyond a solid partnership with her coach, earlier this year Dart spoke of how ditching a “very toxic” relationship and finding a “nice boyfriend” in software engineer and model Stephen Falck led to an upturn in performances.

“I went through a really bad personal time that was not a fun time in my life last year. I really had to work on a lot of things,” she said in June, having previously called 2021 a “rollercoaster” on Instagram when thanking her “nearest and dearest for sticking with me through some dark times (oh boy there were quite a few!!)”