British Tennis Stars Shine on Doubles Debut at HSBC Championships
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, British tennis stars Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu made a winning start to their doubles campaign at the HSBC Championships, cruising to victory on a packed court. The duo, competing in front of a lively home crowd, demonstrated their chemistry and prowess on the grass courts, securing a convincing win.
According to Raducanu, the team’s decision to play doubles together was motivated by their desire to gain valuable experience and preparation for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup. "We were talking about it, there were a lot of close calls in Madrid, Miami and Paris," Raducanu explained, as quoted by the LTA website. "I think on the grass, it’s a quick change from clay and it’s a very different surface so it helps us with serving, returning and playing some live points. We are playing Billie Jean King Cup as well and we want to put ourselves in the best position possible. For us to get some matches on the court together it’s just good preparation for that too."
The LTA website reported that Boulter and Raducanu were dominant from the outset, clinching their first of four breaks in the opening game of the match. The British crowd was fully behind them, with queues forming around the court as fans eager to catch a glimpse of the duo in action. "That’s really nice to hear, I didn’t know that," said Boulter, commenting on the lengthy queues. "I knew there were a few people outside waiting to watch. It’s really nice to feel the support from everyone here and just to have both Brits on the court as well. We feel it so much more. The atmosphere was pretty fun to play in for us."
Raducanu also praised the electric atmosphere, saying, "I think sometimes on the smaller courts, you get a bigger feel for the match, the atmosphere and the environment, because it’s a lot closer, more intimate and you hear the support more. I love playing on those smaller outside courts where you really feel the support and the crowd gets into it. I was filling my bottle up and I was literally having a chat in the stands because that’s how close it is." The duo may have the opportunity to play on the Andy Murray Arena in their next match, with Raducanu expressing her desire to do so, saying, "Hopefully we get to play on it (Andy Murray Arena) for our matches tomorrow."
Both Boulter and Raducanu are set to compete in singles action tomorrow, with Boulter facing Ajla Tomljanovic and Raducanu taking on Cristina Bucsa. If they progress to the next round of the doubles, they could face fellow Brits Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage, who will be looking to cause an upset against top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe.
As reported by the LTA website, Boulter and Raducanu’s impressive performance on their doubles debut has sent a strong message to their competitors, showcasing their potential as a formidable partnership. With their sights set on success in the Billie Jean King Cup, this duo is certainly one to watch in the world of women’s tennis.
