December 25, 2024
Katie Boulter secured victory for Great Britain over Australia at the United Cup after defeating Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted one hour and 32 minutes in Perth Brisbane on Friday.
With her victory, the World No. 56-ranked Boulter’s squad eased to an unassailable 2-0 lead against the host country in the opening Group C tie.
Prior to this, Cameron Norrie had earlier stunned Australian supporters by defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(2).
Boulter had lost 3-6, 4-6 at home in the second round of Nottingham in 2022 in their lone prior meeting with Tomljanovic. However, the 27-year-old delivered eight aces and 14 wins in total on Tomljanovic’s home court to avenge that defeat in spectacular fashion. Notably clutch was Boulter’s performance, as the British player converted all three of her opportunities on the Tomljanovic serve and saved all six break points against her.
The Australian crowd was subdued earlier on Friday when Boulter’s partner, de Minaur, was defeated by Great Britain’s Norrie 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(2) in a thrilling United Cup match.
The United Cup is an international hard court tennis tournament featuring mixed-gender teams from 18 countries. The first event was held in December 2022 through January 2023.
Each tie consists of three rubbers: one men’s singles, one women’s singles and one mixed doubles. There are 18 countries in the mixed-teams event, with six groups of three teams. United States, led by Jessica Pegula, is also in Group C.
The tournament is played across multiple Australian cities over 11 days in the leadup to the Australian Open.
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