Home Sports Katie Boulter roars with delight as British No 1’s fiance Alex De Minaur watches her fight through the Australian Open first round – as she makes it a record-breaking start for the Brits

Katie Boulter roars with delight as British No 1’s fiance Alex De Minaur watches her fight through the Australian Open first round – as she makes it a record-breaking start for the Brits

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Katie Boulter became the sixth British player to advance to the second round of the Australian Open.
  • Boulter fought back to beat Canadian Rebecca Marino 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in three sets.
  • 22nd place might have the best chance for the British to make a deep run.
  • De Minaur watched from Boulter’s box after winning his own first-round match.

Katie Boulter became the sixth British player to reach the second round of the Australian Open, the country’s best performance here in Melbourne.

Yes, overall they got a friendly draw, but Pommie’s group made the most of it and, in the second Grand Slam since Andy Murray’s retirement, it is a sign that British football is in good health.

Sonay Kartal and Cam Norrie, who lost in four sets to former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday, were the only losers. Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley will try over the next few days to advance further in the tournament.

Of those six, it may be Boulter who has the best chance to make a truly deep run. Her draw looks attractive, but she will have to improve her level after narrowly avoiding an upset at the hands of world number 98 Rebecca Marino, winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. She will be one of the favorites to beat world number 75, Veronika Kudermetova.

Boulter was hailed as an honorary Australian after her engagement to Alex de Minaur.

“That was too stressful for me,” the 28-year-old said on the court. “It’s literally because of you that I got through this match, so I really appreciate it.”

Katie Boulter became the sixth British player to advance to the second round of the Australian Open.

Alex de Minaur arrived at Boulter's box after winning his first-round men's singles clash

Alex de Minaur arrived at Boulter’s box after winning his first-round men’s singles clash

Boulter could be Britain's best hope of making a breakthrough in this year's tournament.

Boulter could be Britain’s best hope of making a breakthrough in this year’s tournament.

“Australia is the closest I’ve ever felt to home.” Keep insisting, Katie, that local support could go a long way this fortnight.

Marino got dangerously close to Boulter and was the better player for most of the deciding set. It seemed the 28-year-old from Leicester could hardly believe how many of Marino’s big serves and flat groundstrokes shaved the lines.

The deciding set was always going to be a tense affair. Boulter was taken to deuce in the first game and doubled up with a celebratory roar after the clinch. The Kia Arena’s big screen showed De Minaur throwing a punch as he watched the match from his Wattbike, warming up after his straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp.

After the next service game, her coach Biljana Veselinovic stood up from her seat and motioned for her player to come over. He put both palms in a “calm” gesture and Boulter looked very nervous.

Midway through the set, De Minaur ran into Boulter’s box and watched his fiancée play by far her best game of the night to take the break for the match.

Marino served more aces and winners than Boulter and made fewer unforced errors. He won a higher percentage of points behind the first and second serves and had more break points. In total, he earned 94 points to Boulter’s 93. But Boulter earned enough big points to advance, and that’s the sign of a top player.

After the match, Boulter spoke about how he is looking to incorporate some elements of De Minaur’s precise, racing tennis into his own game.

Boulter admitted after the match that he is trying to learn little things from De Minaur's game.

Boulter admitted after the match that he is trying to learn little things from De Minaur’s game.

“Seeing it on the tennis court, we are very different,” he said. “So when he’s maneuvering someone around the court and he’s very tactical, I start thinking, ‘Why don’t I do that, why don’t I try different things?’

“Even though I can hit the big shots and go after them, and that will always be my power play, seeing the way he operates, the little things I can learn from and what he does in the big moments, that’s really the next step for me. Even talking to him about it is fascinating.”

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