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Katie Boulter in the qualification rounds of the Miami Open, WTA Miami 2018
Katie Boulter in the qualification rounds of the Miami Open, WTA Miami 2018 | (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Boulter faces Kiick in the second round in Washington

Ros Satar
Tennis

By Ros Satar

  • Katie Boulter def. Aleksandra Krunic [5] 6-2 6-0
  • Boulter v Allie Kiick | H2H: Kiick leads 2-0
Washington, USA – After stunning the No. 5 seed Aleksandra Krunic in the first round of the Citi Open, Katie Boulter looks to snap her losing streak against Allie Kiick.

 

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Katie Boulter def. Aleksandra Krunic [5] 6-2 6-0

Making her debut at the Citi Open in Washington, Katie Boulter looked like the tour veteran as she stunned the No. 5 seed Aleksandra Krunic for the loss of just two games. With her timing off and against a barrage of solid ground-strokes backed up with a capable serve, Krunic looked on the back foot from the off, and never came close to staying in contention in the first set.

Things just went from back to worse in the second set for the more experienced Krunic. With Boulter having absolutely nothing to lose, she closed out the set with all the confidence of a seasoned veteran.

 

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Boulter v Allie Kiick | H2H: Kiick leads 2-0

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Where perhaps Boulter had the element of surprise in her favour against Krunic, it is a different story when it comes to Allie Kiick. The home crowd favourite has already looked in very comfortable form coming through qualifying with the loss of just three games, and coasted into the second round.

In addition, she has had the measure of Boulter in the past, twice last year in ITF events, bouncing the Brit out in the opening round, so this will be far more of a challenge for the Brit.

Kiick story is one of determination, if not inspiration. Between 2015 and 2017 she was off the tour after being diagnosed with Stage II skin cancer, not to mention knee injuries and a bout of mononucleosis.

She may not have the same level of power that Boulter can generate but she attackes well, will run down everything, is not allergic to the net and has good timing and anticipation. Boulter, however, dealt admirably with Krunic, who has the same sorts of skills, and if she can pop a few free points off her own serve, she can make this perhaps a little more competitive than their past few encounters.

Prediction: Boulter in three sets.