Britain's Dart wins first WTA title of her career

Britain's Harriet Dart caps the best week of her career by beating fast-rising Austrian teenager Lilli Tagger in three sets in Guangzhou. Harriet Dart will rise into the world's top 100 when the latest rankings are released on Monday Britain's Harriet Dart won the first WTA Tour singles title of her career as she beat fast-rising Austrian teenager Lilli Tagger in the Guangzhou Open final. Dart, 30, was overcome by emotion following a hard-fought 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory in a tense final. The British number five, ranked 115th in the world, twice had a lead in the decider wiped out by 18-year-old Tagger. But Dart broke for a third time for 4-3 and held serve to move within one game of the title.

Dart held two championship points on 53rd-ranked Tagger's serve in the ninth game – dumping an inviting mid-court ball into the net on the second – but recovered to seal victory in the biggest match of her career. She took her third championship point with a service winner, falling to the court in joy before celebrating with her team. The gutsy victory capped a stunning run for Dart, who came through qualifying to reach her first tour-level final at the WTA 250 event. As well as taking home the trophy, Dart will be rewarded for the best