By Glenys Furness
- Katie Boulter claims ITF Canberra title
- Brit only dropped one set en route
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – Katie Boulter claimed first title of the season, lifting the trophy at the W60 event. The Brit dropped one set all event.
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Brit of the Week
Katie Boulter entered the ITF event and was the eighth seed. In the first round the Brit was against Han Na-Lae. Boulter dominated the South Korean from the outset. In the first set the Brit broke freely as Han struggled to hold serve. Boulter eased through the first set and took the lead. The second set continued more of the same, as the Brit kept the foot on the gas. The eighth seed broke more or less at will to progress into the next round 6-0, 6-1.
The second round saw Boulter against qualifier Oksana Selekhmeteva. The eighth seed once again dominated the first set as the qualifier struggled to hold serve. The Brit eased through the first set to take the lead. The second set though was much closer. Selekhmeteva found her game and stayed with the Brit, it looked to be heading to a tiebreak. However, Boulter managed to secure the vital break of serve needed to move into the next round 6-0, 7-5.
In the quarter-final Boulter was against another Brit in the form of Heather Watson. The first set saw the seed once again dominate. Watson struggled to hold serve and Boulter took full advantage and the lead. The second set was a little closer as Watson played better. Boulter managed to break the serve of Watson who could not break back. Boulter moved into the semi-final in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
The semi-final saw Boulter against American Hailey Baptiste. The Brit continued where she had left off in the previous round. Boulter had little trouble with the American, and broke easily in the first set to take the lead. The second set was more of the same, no matter what Baptiste threw at it, Boulter was equal to everything and dominated to book a spot in the final 6-2, 6-2.
In the final Boulter was against fellow Brit and sixth seed Jodie Burrage. The higher seed got off to the better start, breaking the eighth seed serve to take the lead. The second set saw Boulter mount a fight back. The eighth seed broke the sixth seed serve and held on to level up the match. The final set saw Boulter dominate Burrage and lift the title 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Honourable Mention
Arthur Fery entered the ITF event in Malibu and was the fifth seed. In the first round, the Brit was against Lucas Renard. The Swede stayed with the seed at the start, however, Fery managed to secure the break of serve to take the lead. The second set saw the Brit dominate, as Renard struggled to hold serve. The Brit moved into the second round in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
The second round saw Fery against American Alexander Kotzen, the first set was close as both players fought hard to take the lead. The seed managed to get the break and take the lead. The second set was more of the same, with the Brit once again breaking the American to move into the next round 6-4, 6-4.
In the quarter-final Fery was against fourth seed Strong Kirchheimer. The first set was very close, with neither player giving an inch. Eventually, a tiebreak ensued. The Brit got the break and moved ahead and didn’t look back. The second set saw Fery dominate as Kirchheimer was unable to hold serve, the Brit moved into the semi-final 7-6(4), 6-0.
In the semi-final Fery was against Learner Tien. The American was no match for the seed, who dominated from the outset. Tien struggled to hold serve in both sets, as the Brit broke at will. Fery had little problem completing the match and moving into the final 6-1, 6-1.
The final saw the Brit against unseeded American Alex Michelsen. The pair battled hard in the first set, before the Fery secured the break of serve and moved ahead. The second set saw the American dominate and level up the match. The final set was a tussle, as the Brit broke first before the American broke back. However, eventually, Fery showed his experience and secured a break that was not rescinded. Fery claimed the title 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
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Challenger & ITF Round Up
Yuriko Lily Miyazaki was defeated by Heather Watson in the second round in Canberra 6-0, 6-3.
Liam Broady was defeated by Leandro Riedi in the quarter-final in Canberra 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Ryan Peniston was defeated by Laurent Lokoli in the semi-final in Noumea 0-0 (RET).
Paul Jubb was defeated by Evgeny Donskoy in the first round in Nonthaburi 6-1, 7-6.
Jay Clarke was defeated by Edan Leshem in the second round in Oeiras 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Next Week Brits play in Auckland, Adelaide, Australian Open Qualifying, Hobart, Nonthaburi, Oeiras, Loughborough, France, Tunisia, Estonia & USA.
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