Boulter ecstatic after sweeping aside Garcia
BRITAIN’S Katie Boulter moved into the quarter-finals of the Rothesay Classic Birmingham after a straightsets victory against Caroline Garcia.
Just 24 hours after she pulled off the best triumph by ranking of her career with victory over Alison Riske in the opening round, Boulter, 25, beat France’s Garcia, a former top-five player, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
The British No.4 has been prevented from achieving her potential by injuries and illness, and a leg problem suffered in March sidelined her for nearly three months, but she is coming into form ahead of Wimbledon where she has been given a wild card.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic right now,” said Boulter, ranked 141 in the world. “I’ve worked so hard the past few weeks with my injury. It kind of makes it feel worthwhile – and all the tough moments that I went through, and pushing through, really got me through today.
“I’m really happy to be in the quarter-finals and am looking forward to another good match.
“In the first set it was tough for both of us. I was just trying to take care of my service games. I played a really good tie-break and that is what it comes down to. I had to keep fighting and that is what I thought I did really well today.”
Standing between Boulter and a spot in the semi-finals is Simona Halep, the 2019 Wimbledon champion, who recorded a 6-3, 6-2, win over
Britain’s Harriet Dart in just over an hour.
“I feel great and feel like I played better than in my previous match,” said Halep, 30. “She [Dart] is never easy to play against. It is tough on grass because she is used to this surface but I was really pleased with how I played.
“I am doing my best every time I step on the court and looking to play as many matches as possible to get that feeling I had in 2019.”
Boulter and Halep will play their quarter-final clash tomorrow – the first time they have faced each other.
Halep added: “I know she is serving strong so it will be tough to return, but every match is difficult on grass and you never know what to expect. I am ready and I will fight to win.”
At the cinch Championships, Jack Draper said he would try to learn lessons from his 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) ,defeat to Finnish qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round.
World No.56 Ruusuvuori was in imperious form, but Draper, 20, said: “I could have done a few things better, there are not many times when I get outplayed and I felt like today was one of those days. I felt he played a great match.
“I can definitely take some positives from this week, but I can also learn some lessons from today which will help me moving forward.”
Ryan Peniston remains the last British hope and will face Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo today for a place in the last eight.