Katie Boulter produced a stirring comeback to defeat ninth seed Paula Badosa in a gripping first-round clash at Wimbledon, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to reach the second round. The British No 2 overcame a mid-match slump and mounting nerves to seal one of the most significant victories of her career, setting up a meeting with Argentina’s Solana Sierra in the next round.
Boulter began the match in imperious form, serving at an exceptionally high level and striking the ball with authority from the baseline. Her forehand dominated early exchanges, helping her race through the first set. But after a near-flawless start, momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Her once-reliable serve disintegrated, and three double faults in one game handed Badosa her first break. From there, Boulter’s rhythm collapsed, and errors crept into every aspect of her game as Badosa seized control and levelled the match.
The third set opened ominously for Boulter with another double fault and a quick break of serve. However, instead of unraveling, she dug deep and immediately broke back to level at 1-1. The turning point seemed to reawaken her fighting spirit. With the Centre Court crowd behind her, Boulter steadied her serve and found a way to stay aggressive without over-hitting.
Despite her struggles, Boulter maintained belief, showcasing her growing maturity and resilience. Her aggressive style – built around a powerful first serve and heavy forehand – once again began to dictate rallies. Though her second serve remained vulnerable, her commitment to going after her shots never wavered. At 5-4 in the decider, she summoned her best tennis, returning with intent and finishing points with conviction to break Badosa’s serve and close out the win.
This victory marked her fourth career win over a top-10 player and her second at a Grand Slam. It also signaled a return to form after a difficult stretch, including injury setbacks and a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon last year. Now ranked No 23 in the world, Boulter has spent much of her career battling on the ITF circuit, but she has since won three WTA titles and climbed steadily up the rankings.
Her next opponent, Solana Sierra, is a lucky loser ranked No 101 who defeated Olivia Gadecki in her opener. While Boulter will enter the match as the favourite, she will be wary of any complacency, especially with the memory of previous lapses still fresh in her mind.
Despite the imperfections in her performance, Boulter’s grit and determination carried her through a challenging opener. If she can sustain this level of composure and belief, a deep run at her home Slam may finally be within reach.
