Boulter overcomes second-set wobble to progress

BRITAIN’S Katie Boulter made her grand slam breakthrough with victory over Veronica Cepede Royg to reach the second round of Wimbledon.

The 21-year-old from Leicester came close to victory against Christina McHale on her debut 12 months ago and has built on that with a fine 12 months that has lifted her to the verge of the world’s top 100.

She went into the clash with Cepede Royg, from Paraguay, who is ranked one place lower at 123, as the favourite given her comfort on grass courts and justified that with a 6-4 5-7 6-4 victory.

Just as impressive as the result was the way Boulter recovered from failing to serve out the second set to come through the decider.

Boulter arrived at Wimbledon in great form following three wins over top-100 players in the past month, and an appearance in her biggest final so far at the International Tennis Federation tournament in Southsea last weekend.

This has lifted her above Naomi Broady to become British No 3, and she has Heather Watson firmly in her sights as well as the top 100.

Boulter looked composed from the start on Court 14, using her serve and big forehand to push Cepede Royg well behind the baseline. When she stepped out to serve for the match at 5-4 in the second set, she had dropped only four points on her first serve.

But a combination of a few nerves from the British player and her opponent stepping up allowed Cepede Royg to break serve for the first time, and then do so again to level the match.

Boulter did not let the disappointment affect her, though, and there were huge cheers when she set up a chance to serve for the match again with a break in the ninth game of the second set. This time she did not allow her opponent a sniff.