Katie Boulter: 75th tennis player in the world Veronika Kudermetova ended the hopes of the British number 1 at the Australian Open in the second round match | Tennis news
Katie Boulter’s hopes of a strong Australian Open run ended in disappointing fashion with a second-round loss to Veronika Kudermetova.
Set for the first time at Melbourne Park, Boulter looked as if he had a good chance of breaking new ground and reaching the second week of a Grand Slam tournament.
But after surviving a nail-biter against Rebecca Marino in the first round, the 22nd seed could not repeat the feat against Kudermetova, being defeated 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2.
The loss will be particularly disappointing as Boulter has started the season so well at the United Cup, where she came very close to upsetting Iga Swiatek.
Kudermet has slipped to 75th in the rankings after a poor year, but she is a former top-10 player and caught Boulter on a chilly evening in Melbourne.
The British No. 1 won just one of the first six games but then bounced back, saving three set points at 5-2 in a run of four games in a row.
In the middle of that sequence, there was a big delay when Kudermetova called the coach because of an apparent tightness in her chest or back.
Fiancé Alex de Minaur, trying to stay incognito in a black hoodie and cap, cheered on Boulter, but Kudermet held off a run of games against her to force a tie-break and was the better player in it.
Boulter needed a good start to the second set and she got it, taking a 4-1 lead, appearing to be the more steadier of the two in this battle on the first shot.
Boulter also seemed in the ascendancy at the start of the decider but was unable to find Kudermetova’s break serve and it was the Russian who hit in the sixth game before she went down.
Jabeur overcomes an asthma attack to win as Rybakina and Svitolina cruise
Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Ons Jabeur broke down in tears after battling asthma during her second round match with Camila Osorio
The Tunisian left the court for medical treatment after just three games before recovering to beat Osorio 7-5 6-3 at Melbourne Park.
Meanwhile, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina recorded her 50th Grand Slam main draw singles victory when she defeated American qualifier Iva Jovic 6-0 6-3.
Elina Svitolina advanced to the third round with a straight set win over Caroline Dolehide, defeating the 14th seed 6-1 6-4, and will face the winner of Renate Zarazue and Jasmine Paolini in the next round.
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