Sign up to our free sport e-newsletter for all the most recent information on all the pieces from biking to boxing
Sign up to our free sport e mail for all the most recent information
British primary Katie Boulter has claimed her first WTA 500 match victory, with a 5-7 6-2 6-2 win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk within the last of the San Diego Open.
After an excellent begin between the 2, the sixth-seeded Ukrainian started to get the higher of Boulter, stringing a number of video games collectively and quickly closing in on the opening set.
Boulter fought again to even the set at 5-5, however Kostyuk regained the momentum to wrap up the first set 7-5. Boulter then discovered her groove within the second, dominating on her first serve to clinch the set 6-2 and pressure a deciding third set.
The Briton continued her ascendancy into the third, claiming the first break level of the set en route to opening up a 3-1 benefit.
Boulter broke once more within the seventh recreation and stormed dwelling from there to shut out the victory in two hours and 13 minutes.
The 27-year-old from Leicester was watched by boyfriend Alex De Minaur, who scheduled an early-morning flight after retaining his title in Acapulco.
Boulter thanked her Australian accomplice in her post-match feedback.
“I want to say a small special thank you to my boyfriend,” she mentioned. “He finished last night at midnight and I really want to embarrass him. He got a 4.15 taxi this morning and six o’clock flight to be here today, so I do appreciate it.”
Boulter celebrates her win over Kostyuk
(Getty Images)
Boulter (proper) and Kostyuk after the ultimate
(Getty Images)
She continued: “This week has been very, very special for so many different reasons. This one is pretty amazing, I’ve worked very hard for it, I played some incredible tennis all week.
“Today was a complete battle, with myself as well, because I was a little bit nervous. But I managed to get over the line, and that I’m very proud of.
“A lot of it was about me staying as tough as I possibly could mentally, and I managed to keep my cool and actually kind of went within myself and calmed myself down a lot. I think that really helped me, and then I started to relax and play through shots a little bit more.”
Both ladies picked up their first WTA Tour titles final yr in breakout 2023 seasons. Boulter claimed her maiden championship on grass in Nottingham final summer season, whereas Kostyuk discovered victory in Austin.
Boulter has had a flying begin to the 2024 season and the victory over Kostyuk ensures she is going to break into the highest 30 for the first time.
Discussion about this post