Match two: Boulter puts GB one set away from semi-finals
British No.1 Katie Boulter has put the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team just one set away from a spot in the semi-finals after securing the opening set against Leylah Fernandez 6-2.
Both players struggled behind serve in the early stages of the match as they exchanged a couple of breaks, however it was Boulter who settled first to edge her nose in front.
With the two-time Rothesay Open Nottingham champion up a break, Fernandez fought hard to stay in the points and keep the deficit to just one break of serve. However, the Canadian began to struggle with her serve and after being 40-15 up on her serve at 4-2, conjured up three double faults in one game to eventually hand Boulter the opening set.
Match one: Raducanu defeats Marino to give GB an early advantage
British No.2 Emma Raducanu got the Brits off to a perfect start in their quarter-final battle against reigning champions Canada, after defeating world No.103 Rebecca Marino 6-0, 7-5 in an hour and 30 minutes.
“It was an incredibly difficult match because the dynamic was so different in each of the sets,” Raducanu said. “I’m very please with how I managed to fend off my own break points and sneak that break at five all and close it out.
“My Billie Jean King Cup performances have brought very good things out of me. It’s the same for everyone, we all fight extra hard and dig in a little bit more. It’s an honour to be representing my country, scoring a point and hopefully Boults comes out and does the same”.
Raducanu appeared to pick up where she left off on Friday night, as she raced to an early break on the Canadian’s serve before backing it up with a hold to love.
In her match against Germany’s Jule Niemeier just two days ago, we saw Raducanu dominate on serve and today is no different, with the 22-year-old not dropping a single point behind her first serve in the opener.
The Brit piled the pressure on the Canadian in the return games, and it paid off as she claimed six consecutive games on the bounce to take the set after just 28 minutes.
Looking to put the opening set behind her, Marino was a different player in the early stages of the second and began to ask the question of the former US Open champion. The Canadian dug up seven break point opportunities across the set, including four during a 12 minute game at 4-3, but failed to capitalise.
Across the net, the Briton was presented with her first break point of the set and she grabbed it with both hands, before serving out the match at the first time of asking to put her country just one win away from a spot in the semi-finals.