By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Katie Boulter [WC] def Daria Saville 7-6(4) 6-1
- Boulter v Viktoriya Tomova | H2H: Tomova leads 1-0
LONDON, ENGLAND – Katie Boulter is into the second round at Wimbledon after a straight sets win over Daria Saville and will now face Viktoriya Tomova.
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Katie Boulter [WC] def Daria Saville 7-6(4) 6-1
Katie Boulter is into the second round of Wimbledon after a straight sets win over Daria Saville. The match lasted over two days with the first day seeing both players involve themselves in a slugfest with the first three games taking 14 games. The cooler conditions meant Boulter found it tough to hit through Saville’s resilient defence even if she did get the first break of the match in the third game.
Saville, who had just returned from injury, struck straight back with some consistent hitting from the baseline using the angles to open up the space on the court. Both players served well given the conditions with Boulter failing to find her range with Saville’s athleticism frustrating Boulter in the long rallies.
After the Australian held for a 6-5 lead play was suspended for the day with both players having to come back the next day. Eventually play would resume on Wednesday and Boulter responded immaculately to force a first set tiebreak. Boulter made a very cagey start to the tiebreak as she went 4-2 down with play then being delayed due to Just Oil protesters invading the court and throwing confetti.
A long delay meant Boulter had the chance to regroup and the Brit composed herself enough to put together five incredible points as a volley winner sealed the tiebreak 7-4. At that point the momentum was firmly with Boulter and she produced some confident serving and proactive play to cruise through the second set.
The British number one claimed six of the seven games on offer as she sealed a place in the second round.
Katie Boulter [WC] v Viktoriya Tomova H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Katie Boulter [WC] v Viktoriya Tomova | H2H: Tomova leads 1-0 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £85,000 |
| Third on Court 12 (14:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Boulter has a favourable draw but will have to get past Viktoriya Tomova in order to reach the third round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023 – Grass)
| H2H: | Katie Boulter (WR 89) | Viktoriya Tomova (WR 99) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2022) | R2 (2018, 2022) |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 37.7 | 37.9 |
| Return Points Won % | 45 | 41.9 |
| Break Point Conversion % | 42.4 | 42.1 |
| Break Point Saved % | 60 | 45.5 |
| Total Points Won % | 52.9 | 46.7 |
Boulter’s clinical serving will be put to the test against the smart and tactical returning of Tomova.
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Playing styles and prediction
Since winning an ITF title in April in Spain, Tomova has been in terrible form so a win against Bernarda Pera in the last round would have done her confidence the world of good. Now the Bulgarian is looking to extend her run at Wimbledon and build momentum towards the second half of the season.
Boulter’s serve will be the key to the match as the Brit will look to test the depth of Tomova’s returning ability. If the Brit can be consistent with her quality than she should win this match although Tomova can make life tricky for anyone with her baseline tenacity.
Prediction: Boulter in three sets.
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