Katie Boulter roars with delight as British No 1's fiance Alex De Minaur watches her fight through the Australian Open first round - as she makes it a record-breaking start for the Brits
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Katie Boulter became the sixth British player through to the second round of the Australian Open, this country’s best ever performance here in Melbourne. Yes, they were overall handed a kind draw but the Pommie pack has taken full advantage and, in the second Grand Slam since the retirement of Andy Murray, it is a sign that the British game is in decent health.
![[Alex de Minaur arrived in Boulter's box having won his first round men's singles clash]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/14/94079309-14283553-image-a-17_1736863341872.jpg)
Sonay Kartal and Cam Norrie, who went down in four sets to former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, were the only losers. Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley will try over the next couple of days to push further into the tournament.
![[Boulter could be the best British hope of making a deep run at this year's tournament]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/14/94079397-14283553-image-a-18_1736863528373.jpg)
Of those six, it is perhaps Boulter who has the best chance to make a seriously deep run. Her draw looks inviting but she will have to up her level after narrowly avoiding an upset at the hands of world No98 Rebecca Marino, sneaking through 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. She will be a favourite to beat world No75 Veronika Kudermetova.
![[Boulter admitted post-match that she is trying to learn small things from De Minaur's game]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/14/94079409-14283553-image-a-19_1736863582107.jpg)
Boulter was cheered as an honourary Aussie after her engagement to Alex de Minaur. ‘That was way too stressful for me,’ said the 28-year-old on court. ‘It is literally because of you guys I got through this match, so I really appreciate it. Katie Boulter became the sixth British player to advance to the Australian Open second round.
Alex de Minaur arrived in Boulter's box having won his first round men's singles clash. Boulter could be the best British hope of making a deep run at this year's tournament. ‘Australia is the closest I have ever felt to home.’ Keep laying it on thick, Katie, that local support could be very useful this fortnight.
