Great Britain stun hosts in incredible start to United Cup action
Katie Boulter defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and thirty-two minutes to claim the victory for Great Britain against Australia at the United Cup in Perth.
After defeating the host country’s singles star, Boulter, ranked No 56, handed her side an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the opening Group C match. Earlier, Cameron Norrie had defeated Alex de Minaur 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(2), quieting Australian supporters.
Boulter had lost 3-6, 4-6 at home in the second round of Nottingham in 2022 in their lone prior match with Tomljanovic. However, the 27-year-old delivered eight aces and 14 wins in total on Tomljanovic’s home court to revenge that defeat in spectacular fashion. Notably clutch was Boulter’s performance, as the British player saved each of the six break points she faced.
Boulter’s assured form was immediately apparent. She quickly took a two-break lead with a series of spectacular returns the highlights of her early play; in between, she faced triple break point situations, but she overcame them with two aces and a winning forehand.
Boulter used her momentum to take an early lead in the first game of the second set and saved three more break opportunities in the sixth game to hold onto her advantage. With just two winners off the ground in each set, Tomljanovic was unable to gain any more momentum, and Boulter completed the match with a flawless love hold.
In a thrilling United Cup match on Friday, Great Britain’s Norrie stunned Australian supporters by defeating Boulter’s partner, de Minaur, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(2).
Inside a crowded RAC Arena, the Briton got off to a quick start to take control of the match and ended a nine-match losing record against opponents ranked in the Top 20. In the latter part of the third set, he struck with characteristic consistency and increased authority, finally wearing out the unyielding de Minaur, who was seeking his first Top 20 victory since August.
After two hours and twenty-three minutes, Norrie had tied up his head-to-head series against de Minaur at 2-2 with the help of strong support from the British bench. In the mixed-teams event held in Sydney last season, the lefty also triumphed against the World No 12 to give Great Britain an early triumph.
Three rubbers make up each tie: a mixed doubles, a men’s singles, and a women’s singles. In the mixed-teams competition, six groups of three teams each comprise 18 different countries. Group C also includes the United States, led by Jessica Pegula.
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