Britain’s Katie Boulter beat Taylor Townsend in straight units to arrange a second-round conflict with world No 5 Jessica Pegula on the Mutua Madrid Open.
Boutler overcame the American 6-4 6-2 in an hour and 33 minutes to document her second profession win in Madrid.
She arrange 14 break level alternatives in a commanding efficiency towards the Townsend serve, breaking 4 instances within the match in additional indicators of her development on clay.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Katie Boulter gave Laura Robson a shout out for her leftie serve observe forward of her win over Taylor Townsend.
“I feel like my confidence is building on this surface,” Boulter informed Laura Robson on Sky Sports activities. “I do think I’m getting stronger and believing more coming out of the corners. I think I’m improving match by match.
“I benefit from the aggressive nature of this sport, which is being cussed and never letting go or shedding focus. I feel that was the distinction at this time, I dug in within the large moments, trusted my pictures after which I feel within the second set I stepped it up a bit and performed higher tennis.”
Boulter beat Pegula on the 2024 United Cup, earlier than the American levelled their head-to-head document at one apiece within the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup final 12 months.
Pegula is coming off a profitable defence of her Charleston Open title having crushed Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-2 6-2.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Katie Boulter exhibits her admiration to her upcoming doubles accomplice, Venus Williams, after successful towards Taylor Townsend within the Madrid Open.
“She’s a great player, she’s very in form and plays well on every surface,” mentioned Boulter. “It’s going to be a massive challenge for me but I have nothing to lose at the end of the day. I can have a go at someone on a surface I don’t love, and I’m going to try and play my way.”
It has been confirmed that Boulter can even be uniting with 23-time singles and doubles Grand Slam champion and tennis icon Venus Williams in Madrid.
“She’s an absolute icon, I’m so excited to be playing with her,” mentioned Boulter. “It’s going to be a dream come true for a little girl who once looked up to her.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, stay on Sky Sports activities or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra stay sport this 12 months at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.
