Harriet Dart reaches first WTA semi-final since 2024 against a struggling Badosa as huge implications in rankings set to unfold

Harriet Dart has struggled to find that spark on court in recent times but finally seems to be gaining some momentum as she makes a welcoming return to the business end of a WTA tournament. She stunned the former World No.2 Paula Badosa 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 to confirm her spot in the Guangzhou Open semi-finals.

It is a hugely disappointing result for the Spaniard who sees another golden opportunity to claim WTA silverware slip through her fingers. It was a tumultuous match for Badosa, struggling with the conditions and even having a medical time out while suffering with heatstroke.

Her resilience can be lauded as she continued to battle on throughout the match, refusing to withdraw as she tried to find a way back into the contest.

However, the day belonged to Dart, who is in a first WTA semi-final since the 2024 Transylvania Open and only a second achieved in singles in her career at this level. It also has huge implications on the WTA rankings, with 2027 looking very promising for the British No.5.

There was a symmetrical feel to the first set. Badosa survived a break point in the opening game, showing Dart how it is done to lead 3-0. She was then pegged back by a three-game burst by Dart who won 12 of the 16 points in that period. Three games later, the same pattern was repeated, and Badosa was ahead.

She would start to struggle with the Guangzhou conditions. Temperatures soared to over 30 degrees Celcius with the humidity also playing a factor in this part of the world. Dart saw her chance and broke back after a slow start to the second set. Badosa levelled at 2-2 but would drop the next four games and relinquish control with a third set on the way.

Halfway through that set, the former Indian Wells champion would take that medical time out, and the Heat Rule was applied at the end of the second set. A 10-minute break was accepted as Badosa tried to recover.

It seemed to have made a difference as she broke the Dart serve from the off, but it was all in vain. The 30-year-old broke back before later seizing the opportunity to move 5-3 to the good. She was on the brink of victory, but it seemed to have been snatched away from her after missing a match point. Badosa got the match back on serve, but she would collapse in the final game as Dart broke to love and finally added a second WTA semi-final to her CV.

“It was an incredible battle,” Dart said in her on court interview. “I thought Paula started really strongly. I was always behind, but I knew going in that it was going to be an incredibly tough match."

It was a very tricky match against a strong opponent, but Dart had the tools to prevail on the day. “I really needed to hang in there in the tough moments, and maybe I’d get a chance. Luckily I was able to take my chances today and I’m really excited to be in the semi-final. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been in the business end of a (WTA) tournament, so I’m very proud of that.”

Dart has won her last five matches in Guangzhou after coming through qualifying just to feature in the event. She has shown real grit and determination, with four of those wins coming in three sets. It is also five consecutive WTA events leading back to the Cincinnati Open that Dart has successfully qualified for.

This upturn in form will be huge when looking towards next year. Dart went into this tournament ranked 115th in the world but is very much on the rise. In the live rankings, she sits 106th after rising nine spots. Another win, and she surpasses Emma Raducanu as the British No.4 and climbs back into the top 100. This is significant because she will then gain automatic entry into the Grand Slam events, while Raducanu will not.

However, all focus will be on the next round, with a huge opportunity for both players. She will take on 16-year-old Xinran Sun, who just defeated Claire Liu 7-5, 7-6(2), to continue her magical run.