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Katie Boulter Defeats Yuan Yue To Win Her First Round Match At The Australian Open
27-year-old Katie Boulter has secured her first win in the main draw of the Australian Open in five years.
The top-ranked British player defeated China’s Yuan Yue in straight sets to set a new record for herself, Sportxparte reports.
Despite losing in the qualifying rounds in Melbourne for the past two years, Boulter made significant progress in the rankings in 2023. She displayed an impressive performance in her 7-5 7-6 (7-1) victory over the in-form Yuan.
Although Boulter faced a minor setback when she missed two match points on her own serve at 5-4 in the second set, she quickly regrouped and dominated the tie-break. This win marks only her second main-draw victory at Melbourne Park.
Entering this year’s first Grand Slam ranked 57th, Boulter carries a great deal of confidence after a strong start to 2024. At the United Cup in Perth, she achieved the biggest win of her career by defeating world No. 5 Jessica Pegula. With her sights set on further progress, Boulter aims to make another significant leap this year.
Throughout the match, Boulter demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure and excel in crucial moments. Her victory reaffirms her status as a player who thrives on important occasions.
Yuan, who is ranked 61st in the world, had recently reached the semi-finals in Hobart.
In the second set of the recent game, there was little to differentiate between the two players until Boulter broke to take a 5-4 lead.
However, Boulter’s composure faltered at a crucial moment, resulting in a double fault and a backhand error that allowed Yuan to level the score.
Despite these missed opportunities, Boulter quickly regained her focus and dominated the tie-break, winning the first five points and securing her first victory in Melbourne since 2019.
In addition to Boulter’s success, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper, both from Britain, also advanced to the second round. | Credit: Sky Sports
