Brit Katie Boulter avoids Novak Djokovic-style US Open disqualification before progressing
Katie Boulter has progressed through to the US Open third round.
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Katie Boulter survived losing the opening set and a code violation for hitting the ball into the crowd to reach her first overseas Grand Slam third round. And the British No.1 is now set to break into the world’s top 50 for the first time.
Boulter beat in-form Chinese qualifier Wang Yafan 5-7 6-1 6-4 in the first opening match on Court 5. The Leicester City fan went an early break down in the first set - and then carelessly flicked a ball into the crowd in frustration after losing a 20-shot rally at 4-4.
Luckily the mis-hit ball flew into a gangway and did not strike anyone otherwise she would have risked a Novak Djokovic-style disqualification.
The Serbian superstar was thrown out of the 2020 US Open for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball. Boulter immediately put her hand to her mouth and apologised to the crowd in the area before acknowledging the code violation.
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Wang is in good form after winning 11 consecutive matches and saved three set points at 4-5 in the first set before going ahead.
But Boulter refound her range - especially with her big forehand - and her composure and took all four of her break points in the next two sets to set up a third round meeting with American Peyton Stearns.
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“I am super happy with today,” said the British No.1. “I am very, very proud of myself. I had to dig really deep. I had a few set points in the first set which I wasn’t able to convert.
"She played some really good tennis and I had to really battle and go for it at the same time. Credit to her. She is a great player and doesn’t make it easy. I managed to get over the line so I am extremely happy.
“I am pleased with my resilience. I think tactically I was trying to be very aggressive and I think I got a little bit tight in the first set and I wasn’t quite as loose as I wanted to be and I bounced back in the second set and managed to loosen up and find ways to win points that I wasn’t doing fully in the first set and it made it a little bit easier for me."