Just the beginning – Katie Boulter excited by British tennis after new record
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Katie Boulter survived an intense encounter against Canada’s Rebecca Marino to help set a new British record in Melbourne – with a bit of help from Australia. For the first time, six British players have won first-round matches at the Australian Open but Boulter had to work extremely hard to join Jack Draper, Emma Raducanu, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart and Jacob Fearnley in round two.
The 22nd seed was on the ropes early in the third set against her 98th-ranked opponent but, with fiancee Alex De Minaur heading from his own victory on Rod Laver Arena to cheer her on, Boulter dug out a 6-4 3-6 7-5 win. “That was way too stressful for me,” said Boulter, who began her season in great form at the United Cup and headed to Melbourne Park with expectations high.
She welcomed the moment of history, saying: “It’s awesome to have some positivity coming out around British tennis. “It’s been coming for a long time. It’s just the beginning. I really think these girls and guys have been working so hard and everyone deserves a bit of credit. Obviously it’s a great start for everyone and let’s hope we can keep that going.”.
Boulter sensed from cheers she could hear across Melbourne Park that De Minaur had won and his arrival, coupled with enthusiastic support from the crowd, helped her across the line. “I think I heard his mum’s voice from the crowd,” she said. “That was the first thing I heard before he came. I kind of felt comfortable that he had won and that I could fully relax.
