Katie Boulter beats Jelena Ostapenko to secure quarter-final spot in Eastbourne
Katie Boulter advanced to the quarter-finals of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne by beating Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.
Registering her first victory over a grand slam winner, the British number one held off a second-set fightback from Ostapenko to defeat the 2017 French Open champion 6-4 7-5.
It was another step forward for 27-year-old, who won her first WTA Tour title in Nottingham last year and then beat Emma Raducanu on her way to defending that crown this summer.
Too good @katiecboulter 🎯
Even Jelena Ostapenko applauded this one!#RothesayInternational pic.twitter.com/zaekTE121C
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 26, 2024
Speaking after Wednesday’s win, Boulter acknowledged the importance of that success.
“It’s definitely taken a lot of pressure off me,” she said. “This season is a slightly different situation for me. Today was a match I had nothing to lose, just swinging and having fun.”
Boulter got off to a fast start to the contest on Centre Court, establishing a 5-1 first-set lead before faltering, but eventually capitalised on a seventh set-point.
The players exchanged early breaks in the second set before Boulter struck the decisive blow at 5-5 and then served out the match to secure her last-eight spot.