By Ros Satar
- Katie Boulter [WC] def. Alison Riske [7] 6-4 6-3
- Faces Caroline Garcia, who has two grass court titles to her name
BIRMINGHAM, UK – Katie Boulter got her first Birmingham main draw win, taking out Alison Riske and faces Caroline Garcia next.
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Katie Boulter [WC] def. Alison Riske [7] 6-4 6-3
It was another first time win for a Brit at the Rothesay Classic, as Katie Boulter followed in Harriet Dart’s footsteps and claimed a solid win over Alison Riske.
The American was arriving in good form, having made the final in Nottingham last week, but found herself quickly falling behind as Boulter broke in the first game. Riske stayed with the pace for the rest of the set, with no break points for either player, but Boulter held that advantage to take a one set lead.
Having had to fend off three chances made by Riske to get a break in the second set, Boulter grew in confidence breaking twice in the second set to get her first win.
Boulter said, after the match: “I’m really happy. It was a no pressure match, so I could go out and play my best tennis. The work I’ve been putting in is starting to show and I believe its going to come out. Being a fighter is my best attribute and out there I know I can draw on that whenever I need too. When the crowd get involved, like today, it lifts me. I actually missed them so much.”
Katie Boulter [WC] v Caroline Garcia | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Katie Boulter [WC] v Caroline Garcia | H2H: First Meeting |
| WTA Nottingham | UK |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: $3,800 |
| Third on Ann Jones Centre Court, not before not before 1pm | BBC Sport |
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Katie Boulter (WR 141) | Caroline Garcia (WR 74) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R1 (2018) | R-16 (2021) |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 35.4 | 36.9 |
| Return Points Won % | 44.6 | 39.8 |
| Break Point Conversion % | 48.9 | 45.8 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60.6 | 66.7 |
| Total Points Won % | 52.3 | 50.1 |
Boulter has managed a few more matches on the surface and that shows in her stats, as she has sharpened up on returns and as we saw in her opener, has been able to take more of her chances to break. Garcia has proved to be more clutch though in saving break points against her, but Boulter has a very good chance here.
Playing Styles & Prediction
Garcia might not be a power hitter, but she has a decent serve, hits her forehand flat and hard and backs that up with a solid backhand, but at times her consistency lets her down, hence her current ranking. But she is riding on a high, coming in off the back of another Roland Garros doubles title, and combined with her agility around a court and skills at the net, she will test Boulter.
The Brit plays an aggressive baseline game. She has a very solid first serve and she will favour her forehand, but she was also very sharp around the net at times, and will need to mix things up to get the better of the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Boulter in three sets.
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