Women lead British success at Surbiton

By Jonny Bray at Surbiton

Four British women will play in the quarterfinals of the LTA’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy for the first time since 2017 following another fantastic day of action in West London.

Katie Swan, Lily Yuriko Miyazaki, Isabelle Lacy, and Katie Boulter progressed through the Round of 16, following in the footsteps of Naomi Broady, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Katy Dunne's astounding achievement five years ago.

Miyazaki won another Battle of the Brits, storming to a straight-set victory over Eden Silva.

Fresh off the back of beating British No.2 Jodie Burrage, Miyazaki recorded a convincing 6-4 7-5 triumph over her friend-turned-rival.

British No.5 Swan was on the verge of winning the first set of her Round of 16 clash with Océane Dodin before her French rival retired.

Swan took a 5-3 lead and seemed to be in control before the World No.122 pulled up with an injury to her right knee, forcing her to concede defeat.

The 24-year-old from Bristol will now face top seed Tatjana Maria in what is sure to be a fascinating quarter-final match.

16-year-old Lacy's fairytale run in the tournament will continue following the withdrawal of the USA's Sachia Vickery.

The world No.170 suffered an injury to her right elbow before the match got underway, meaning Lacy will now face Miyazaki in the quarterfinals.

Katie Boulter came out on top in another all-British clash, beating Sonay Kartal 6-3 3-6 4-6.

The British No.8 impressed as she took the first set, but Boulter's experience on grass told as the match progressed, and ultimately, she was victorious.

She will take on former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Viktorija Golubic in the next round.

A win for Harriet Dart against 2022 Wimbledon semi-finalist Maria would have meant five British women in the quarterfinals for the first time, but despite battling hard she lost 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4 to the top seed.

Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls reached the final of the women's doubles with an emphatic 6-4 6-4 triumph over fellow Brit Emily Appleton and Germany's Julia Lohoff.

They will play fourth seeds Sophie Chang and Yanina Wickmayer in the final after they beat Britain's Eden Silva and Australia's Olivia Gadecki.

Dan Evans was eliminated from the men's singles after an impressive performance from 21-year-old Gabriel Diallo.

Diallo's intimidating frame and powerful service game overwhelmed the British No.2 who fell to a 7-5 6-2 defeat in stunning sunshine in West London.

In the men's doubles, Liam Broady and Jonny O'Mara booked their place in the semi-finals with a 6-3 6-2 win against Hugo Grenier and Constant Lestienne.

They will play Julian Cash and Henry Patten following their 6-7(5) 6-4 12-10 victory over their compatriots Charles Broom and Mark Whitehouse

It was also the end of the road for Toby Samuel and Connor Thomson as they fell to defeat against Australian duo Alexei Popyrin and Aleksandar Vukic 6-7(6) 7-5 12-10.

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website