The Australian Open
Six of the best for Brits as Boulter wins
Katie Boulter’s 6-4,3-6,7-5 win over Canadian Rebecca Marino, watched in part by fiancé Alex de Minaur, created a slice of history for Britain who will feature six players in the second round for the first time in the Open Era.
De Minaur arrived in Boulter’s player box before the sixth game, having won his opening match in quick time to add much needed extra support.
Boulter was 5-5 0-30 down in the third set but showed her fighting spirit to hold, then took her second match point in the next game.
“It was a massive mental challenge for me,” said Leicestershire’s Boulter. “She came out firing and played great.
“That was way too stressful for me, I would have preferred an easier match today,”
“I’m happy I found a way – sometimes that’s what these round one matches are about.”
She play Russian Veronika Kudermetova in the next round.