British No.2 Harriet Dart enjoyed a confidence boost at the LTA’s Rothesay Birmingham Classic as she cruised into the second round with ease.

The 27-year-old pushed past qualifier Moyuka Uchijima in straight sets, sealing a round-of-16 tie after defeating her opponent 6-3 6-3.

The West Hampstead tennis talent admitted she felt apprehensive going into her opener due to Uchijima’s feel for the court after her two qualifying rounds.

But Dart put on a convincing and confident opening performance with her family watching from the stands.

She said: “I’m really pleased to get through with the win, she had two matches on these courts already so I knew it was going to be a really tough match.

“She’s (Uchijima)had a great season so far and on these courts with grass, each week it’s a little bit different so it was great to adapt quickly.

“It’s great to be back in Birmingham, I’m a bit sad that it’s the last year that we’re going to be having a WTA here, I always loved the club feel.

“Lots of people come and watch and also lots of kids and it was nice that a lot of my family came today.”

World No.101 Dart was knocked out in the first round of the LTA’s Rothesay Open Nottingham by eventual champion Katie Boulter but put all that behind her to advance into the last 16.

She will face second seed Barbora Krejcikova in the second round on Wednesday as she bids to make a quarter-final for the first time in this grass-court season.

All preparation on the manicured lawns is helping Dart prepare for her ultimate grass-court test at Wimbledon, where she exited in the first round in 2023 to Diane Parry.

With plenty of tennis left to play this summer, Dart will be looking to secure form in the Midlands on her favoured surface to propel her further up the rankings.

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website