Shock as injured Boulter in French Open draw
BRITAIN’S singles representation in last night’s French Open draw was boosted from four to five when Katie Boulter unexpectedly turned up in the hat for the women’s championship. The 22-year-old from Leicestershire was drawn to face Croatia’s Donna Vekic, but there was mystery around whether she will be fit to play after aggravating a back injury in the Fed Cup last month, which has kept her out of action since. It was understood she was struggling to make Wimbledon, let alone Paris, and questions will inevitably be asked about the rule that has been brought in encouraging players not to play when less than fully fit. Under the regulation brought in last year a player who is on site but pulls out of the draw is entitled to half the firstround prize money, which in this case is €23,000 (£20,300). At the time entries were made Boulter was ranked high enough to gain direct entry into the field, and would be entitled to the payout if she withdrew. She posted an Instagram post of herself in the gym at the LTA’s Roehampton HQ yesterday. Nobody from her camp was available for comment. A picture also emerged on social media showing Serena Williams sitting in a wheelchair while visiting Disneyland Paris. She has been dealing with knee problems but there is no indication she will not play her first-round match against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko. There are some intriguing draws for British players. Cam Norrie, who has risen to world No 41, will face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios. Kyle Edmund is seeded at No 31 but has a tough test against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Dan Evans faces Fernando Verdasco, the world No 26. Jo Konta will fancy her chances of breaking her Paris main draw duck. She will play a qualifier in the first round. Katie Swan could bolster the GB contingent if she wins against Slovakia’s Kristina Kucova in today’s final qualifying round. It ought to have been two Brits in the final round of qualifying but Heather Watson lost 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 to Greece’s Valentini Grammatikopoulou.