Boulter helps GB clinch Billie Jean King Cup win
KATIE Boulter enjoyed a careerbest win on clay as she set up a 3-1 triumph for Great Britain over France in the Billie Jean King Cup.
The Woodhouse Eavesa ace put her day one disappointment behind her to produce an excellent 7-5 6-0 win over world number 44 Clara Burel and open the door for Emma Raducanu to step up and seal a stunning victory.
Anne Keothavong’s team were big underdogs ahead of the qualifier on clay in Le Portel, in northern France, and had lost to the same opponents in Coventry last year.
However, they entered day two level at 1-1 after Raducanu’s impressive three-set victory over Caroline Garcia on Friday after British number 1 Boulter had lost to Diane Perry.
Her first ever Tour-level match on the surface unravelled against world number 49 Parry on Friday - a match where she lost 12 games in a row in a 6-2 6-0 defeat.
Boulter’s excellent recovery to see off Burel set the tie up nicely for former US Open champion Raducanu to send Britain through to the finals later this year in Seville with a 4-6 5-1 7-6 victory.
Earlier in the day, Boulter produced an excellent display on clay to outlast Burel.
Boulter had won only two games during a crushing defeat to Parry on Friday but showed all her trademark guts and determination in a hard-fought first set against Burel where she fought back from a break down.
Boulter saved five break points in the seventh game before a doublefault in her next service game handed Burel the decisive break to move 5-4 up.
With her back against the wall, Boulter dug deep in several lengthy rallies to break back before she repeated the trick to take a 72-minute opener.
Burel, 23, could not recover her composure and after Boulter stood firm for a crucial hold at the start of the second, a nine-game winning streak helped dish out a bagel to claim a superb 7-5 6-0 victory.
After her win on Saturday, Boulter said: “I kind of lost my identity on day one, I was trying to play like the stereotypical clay court player, but I don’t have that in my bag.
“This is my second match on the tour on clay court, I’m still fresh and learning.”
Keothavong added: “Katie and Emma came out and put in some fantastic performances against tough opposition.
“I am just so chuffed for the team. We knew it would be difficult. We were the underdogs but we performed and we’re all leaving with a big smile on our face. I know the girls are all hungry to perform later this year. It’s all to play for.”