Dart was the shining light on a day where Heather Watson lost a close three-set battle and Katie Boulter and Amelia Rajecki also exited in the first round.

Her victory over qualifier Uchijima signifies her sixth main draw win in the tournament since stunning Camila Osorio in a straight-sets victory in 2022.

The 27-year-old confessed to feeling tense ahead of her opener in the wake of the world No.72’s two qualifying rounds, but Dart managed to keep her concerns at bay with her offensive approach on the day.

“I’m really pleased to get through with the win,” said Dart.  

“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.

The Briton marks her eighth appearance on the Edgbaston Priory Club’s manicured lawns, recording her best run last year after defeating the then fifth seed Anhelina Kalinina to reach the quarter-finals.

Speaking on the changes to be made to the British grass-court calendar next year, Dart said, “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.”

Dart’s grass campaign continues off the back of her opening clash at the Rothesay Open Nottingham where she lost to eventual champion, British No.1 Katie Boulter.

She is slated to play former Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikcova in the second round as she looks to secure her second quarter-final in Birmingham, and her first of the 2024 grass-court season.

Keep up to date with the latest results and updates at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham