Boulter Battles Through Thrilling Match to Reach Queen’s Tournament Second Round
British tennis player Katie Boulter has progressed to the second round of the inaugural women’s WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club, overcoming a spirited challenge from Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in a thrilling match.
According to a report by the BBC, Boulter described playing at Queen’s as a "dream" come true, having watched the men’s tournament at the iconic venue for several years. The 28-year-old Briton said it was "special" to play in the women’s event, and she was grateful to be competing on the same court as her idols.
"I came out yesterday to watch Andy get his first court [named after him], which is special in itself," Boulter was quoted as saying by the BBC. "To get the women back here feels very special. It’s actually something I dreamt of, having come here the last couple of years to watch the men play, so I’m just really grateful to be on this court."
The match itself was a closely contested affair, with Boulter navigating a tricky hold in the early stages, saving break points before impressively breaking to love. However, she missed the opportunity to serve out the set at 5-4, and the match proceeded to a tie-break. It was here that Boulter’s impressive serving proved decisive, as she smashed a forehand winner to take the set in just over an hour.
However, the second set proved a different story altogether, as Boulter struggled to find her rhythm, falling down a double break and struggling to find the answers. According to the BBC, having relied so heavily on her serve in the first set, Boulter double-faulted on the first point of the opening game in the decider, laying the foundations for Tomljanovic to break.
As the match entered its final stages, Boulter found herself on a run of six games without a win, and the home crowd was struggling to provide her with the boost she needed. However, Boulter eventually broke back and rediscovered some momentum, winning three games in a row to level the match.
The match then became a closely contested battle of wills, with neither player able to hold their serve. However, Boulter eventually kept her calm at 4-4, holding serve before taking the match when Tomljanovic’s forehand dropped long. The BBC reports that Boulter will face Poland’s Magdalena Frech or fifth seed Diana Shnaider in the next round.
Boulter’s victory is a significant one, not just for her own confidence but also for the women’s game in the UK. As the BBC notes, the women’s WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club is a major milestone for women’s tennis, and Boulter’s success will undoubtedly help to raise the profile of the sport.
As reported by the BBC, Boulter’s thoughts after the match were focused on the history of the venue, and she expressed her gratitude at being able to compete on the same court as some of her idols. This, combined with her impressive performance, suggests that Boulter is a force to be reckoned with in the women’s game.
The BBC understands that Boulter’s next match will be against either Frech or Shnaider, and it will be interesting to see how she performs against one of these opponents. One thing is certain, however – Boulter has already made her mark on the inaugural women’s WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club, and she will be looking to continue her success in the tournament.
Source: BBC Sport
