Dart arrived in New York having not won a main-draw singles match at a major since reaching the second round of the 2025 Australian Open.
She failed to qualify for four of the next six Grand Slams and fell at the first hurdle at the past two editions of Wimbledon after receiving a wildcard on each occasion.
However, cheered on by her parents, uncle, and numerous cousins at her “home away from home”, Dart downed Stearns to reach the US Open second round for the third time.
The 30-year-old immediately ran to celebrate with her team, which now includes 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli.
The pair linked up in January and this latest win builds on a run to the quarter-finals at July’s Challenger tournament in Vancouver and qualification for the Cincinnati Open in August.
“From her experience, she knows what I’m going through, how I’m feeling, how the day starts, how it finishes – everything from the little things to the big things,” Dart said of Bartoli.
“To be able to soak up everything, all of her experience, and learn from her – I feel I’m learning so much every time we speak.
“I feel like I’m improving at a lot of things, which motivates me.”
Dart could not convert any of her four break points in the opening game of the match, with Stearns not offering up another opportunity in the first set.
Stearns piled relentless pressure on the Briton’s serve, eventually breaking in the eighth game.
Dart was broken for a second time in the opening game of the second set but, aided by an increasingly erratic Stearns, whose 40 winners were offset by 47 unforced errors, she secured two breaks of her own to force a decider.
Taking control midway through the third set, Dart completed a crucial hold in the sixth game to end a run of three consecutive breaks before converting her fourth match point to seal a nervy win in a little under two and a half hours.
