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Eastbourne International 2021: Heather Watson & Harriet Dart lose in first round

British number two Heather Watson and Harriet Dart narrowly lost their first-round matches at the Eastbourne International.

Earlier, Dart also fought back against Elena Rybakina but was defeated 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.

In the upset of the day, defending champion Karolina Pliskova lost 2-6 6-2 6-2 to Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi.

Watson came into this tournament with a lot of confidence, having reached the semi-finals in Birmingham last week, and started confidently against Polish world number nine Swiatek.

In one lax service game, Watson double-faulted three times to gift a break and ultimately the first set to the 20-year-old 2020 French Open champion.