BOULT FROM THE BLUE

Katie puts injury hell behind her and says ‘I’m here to stay!’

KATIE BOULTER insisted she is “here to stay” after the injury-hit Wimbledon wildcard found her best-ever grass-court form to reach the quarter-finals of the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham.

The British No.4’s promising career has been dogged by physical setbacks and is playing only her second event since March following a leg injury.

But after knocking out world No.35 Alison Riske in the first round, Boulter yesterday reached the last eight by beating ex-world No.4 Caroline Garcia 7-6 6-1.

The furious French star never recovered from a double fault on set point in the tiebreak when the umpire called her first serve out.

It was the Leicester City fan’s fifth win of the season on grass – her best-ever performances on her home courts.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic right now,” said Boulter. “I’ve worked so hard the past few weeks with my injury. It makes it feel worthwhile – and all the tough moments that I went through, and pushing through, really got me through today.”

Boulter suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome at the beginning of her stopstart career and had a serious back injury in April 2019 just after breaking into the world’s top 100.

The world No.141, now 25, said: “I have come to terms with the fact I don’t think I am ever going to be perfect.

“I have been working hard on trying to be there for longer than just one match. In my mind I am here to stay and there are not going to be any more injuries.”

Boulter faces Simona Halep tomorrow for the first time after the world No.2 beat British No.3 Harriet Dart 6-3 6-2.

Ryan Peniston is the only home singles player left at the cinch Championships at Queen’s Club after fellow wildcard and world No.99 Jack Draper (below) went down 6-2 7-6 to Finnish qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori.

Peniston, the British No.7, faces Argentine Francisco Cerundolo today. Londoner Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram beat Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 7-6 7-6.

Emma Raducanu has announced a commercial partnership with HSBC – her seventh blue-chip sponsor since her US Open triumph.

The British No.1 already has sponsorship deals in place with Porsche, Tiffany and Co, British Airways,

Evian,

Dior and

Vodafone.

The Bromley teenager is expected to return from injury at Eastbourne next week.