Battling Boulter keeps Britain in the mix

Katie Boulter kept Britain alive at the United Cup on Monday, winning her singles rubber and then doubling up to lead the way to victory over Argentina with mixed doubles success.

The WTA No. 24 has become the mainstay of the British effort at the 18-nation mixed team event being contested in Sydney and Perth.

She began with a 6-2, 6-3 win over 100th-ranked Nadia Podoroska, and stepped into the breach in the doubles, teaming with Charles Broom to clinch the tie-winning point by defeating Maria Lourdes Carle and Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (4), 7-5.

Untested Billy Harris, a replacement for injured Jack Draper, lost the men’s singles to Tomas Etcheverry 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

But the tie was all about boulter, recently engaged to Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur, with that pair set to face off in mixed on opposite sides of the net later this week.

“I don’t know about having a match against him, I think that’s going to be terrible, and a bit of a popcorn match,” Boulter said. “But yeah, let’s hope we don’t reach there and we win before.”

But she added: “I’m very, very pleased with today,” Boulter said. “Last year I played so well in singles and didn’t get any mixed doubles rubbers, so I really wanted this one so badly.
“I’m so glad we came out. I feel like we both played so great together considering it’s our first time. But I’m just thrilled to get the win.”

Boulter won her singles with three breaks of serve and was pleased with her season start.

“It’s never easy to come out in the first match of the year, especially against someone who’s going to make so many balls and make you work so hard.

“I knew I was going to have to get sharp really quickly, and I’m glad I got through the line today and played some really good stuff as well.”