By Ros Satar
- Katie Boulter def. Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-2
- Faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second round
- H2H: First meeting
LINZ, AUSTRIA – Katie Boulter made a winning start on her Linz debut, powering past Jasmine Paolini and setting up a second-round clash with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
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Katie Boulter def. Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-2
There were no signs of nerves from Katie Boulter as she took to the court for the first time in Linz, as she overpowered Jasmine Paolini in short order. It started well with an immediate break for Boulter, before breaking the Italian again later in the set, claiming the first set on her second set point.
The second set went the same way, but Paolini had more chances on Boulter’s serve, having not had any break point chances in the first set. She put Boulter under pressure several times but could not break through the Brit’s defences.
Katie Boulter v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | H2H: Tied at 1-1 (incl. ITF)
| Katie Boulter v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | H2H: First Meeting |
| WTA Linz | Austria |
| Hard (I) | Prize Money: €11,823 |
| Last on Centre Court not before 8pm (7pm GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Former Linz champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova presents a much tougher challenge for Boulter.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Katie Boulter (WR 53) | Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (WR 42) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Debut | Title (2015) |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 38.4 | 35.4 |
| Return Points Won % | 44.6 | 44.6 |
| Break Point Conversion % | 29.3 | 33.8 |
| Break Points Saved % | 51.6 | 52.2 |
| Overall Service Points Won % | 59.8 | 62.0 |
Pavlyuchenkova is stronger on paper, and this will be a good test for Boulter.
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Playing Styles & Prediction
It was an impressive start by Boulter, and she now has a chance to prove she has what it takes outside the grass, as she bds to reach a first quart-final on hard courts. Pavlyuchenkova is returning to form having struggled with a knee injury that kept her off the court for a while.
Both are hard hitters and Boulter will need to mix things up to get the advantage over a tour and indeed tournament veteran.
Prediction: Boulter in three sets.
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