Katie Boulter stunned world No9 Paula Badosa on Centre Court to secure what nine-time former Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova called “perhaps the sweetest win of her career”.
Boulter defied her own ranking of 43rd to beat a top-10 player for only the fourth time, with the 28-year-old Brit winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 on a baking-hot evening on Centre.
The British No2 will now face lucky loser Solana Sierra on Wednesday, after the Argentine defeated Australia’s Olivia Gadecki after stepping in to replace Greet Minnen, who withdrew.
Speaking as a co-commentator for BBC One, Navratilova said: “That was perhaps the sweetest win of her career. It doesn't get much better than that, especially right here on Centre Court.”
Boulter made a superb start to the match, which followed Carlos Alcaraz’s five-sets victory over Fabio Fognini. She raced into a 5-1 lead and took the first set in just 31 minutes.
Three double faults in the second service game of the second set spent trouble, however, and saw her broken. Badosa, finding her rhythm, broke again and won the set 6-3.
Following another double fault, Boulter was broken in the opening game of the third set. But then came an almighty cheer from the Centre Court crowd as she broke straight back.
That proved a significant boost for Boulter, who stayed on serve until 5-4, when she thundered an overhead smash crosscourt and then watched as her opponent missed, offering up three match points. After the first was saved, she took full advantage of the second to claim a decisive break of serve and, with it, the match.
Boulter beamed as she spoke about her victory to an on-court interviewer.
“I played some really good stuff and I’m happy to be through to the next round,” she said.
“I was bricking it completely. I’ve played a lot of matches recently where I started out great and then let it slip. I just tried to be positive and make it happen today. Today, it actually happened, so I’m thrilled.”
Boulter added: “This Court is the epitome of what every single British child dreams of playing on and winning on. I felt like a little girl again. I’m just super happy to be through today.”
