Boost for British hopes as Katie Boulter, Liam Broady and Heather Watson all win
The trio joined Cameron Norrie in the third round at Wimbledon.
Katie Boulter starred on another day of strong British performances by defeating last year’s Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova to reach the third round of a grand slam for the first time.
The 25-year-old went into the match full of confidence after a fine run of tournaments on the grass, including victory over Pliskova in Eastbourne last week.
And, after defeats for Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray on Centre Court on Wednesday, Boulter thrilled the home crowd by coming from a set down to win 3-6 7-6 (4) 6-4.
“It’s been a tough few days for sure,” she said. “I’ve tried to kind of get my emotions out and deal with the situation, try and keep my head on the tennis. Her favourite tournament was Wimbledon. That’s why it’s a special one for me. She’d watch every single match that was on the TV.”
Boulter next takes on France’s Harmony Tan, who followed up her victory over Serena Williams by defeating Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Broady faced a rematch against 12th seed Diego Schwartzman, who he lost to in four sets last year, and he turned the tables by coming from two sets to one down to win 6-2 4-6 0-6 7-6 (6) 6-1.
Boulter and Broady are two of the players with most cause to rue the ATP and WTA’s decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points in response to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
“But I’m just grateful to have made the third round of Wimbledon, to be honest. I’d play Wimbledon for no points and no prize money.”
Watson has been resurgent this week, reaching the third round at a slam for the first time in five years, and with the chance to finally make it further when she meets Kaja Juvan on Friday.
“I’m pretty relaxed about it right now,” said Watson. “I’ve been here before. I’m just taking it step by step, match by match.
Broady will take on 19th seed Alex De Minaur, who won a fierce four-set battle on Court One against 20-year-old British player Jack Draper to join girlfriend Boulter in the third round.
Draper won the first set but ultimately was unable to match the physicality of De Minaur in a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
Harriet Dart also claimed the first set against eighth seed Jessica Pegula but lost out 4-6 6-3 6-1 while debutant Alastair Gray was beaten 6-3 7-6 (3) 6-3 by 11th seed Taylor Fritz.
