Katie Boulter continued her poor form at the majors as she lost in three-sets to Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova. Despite her seeded status at the last four slams, the British No 1 has still never gone beyond the third round at these tentpole events – and only reached the second here.
Boulter had her chances to get on top of Kudermetova – a former world No 9 – early in the deciding set, when she was taking the initiative in a lot of the rallies.
She got ahead in a couple of her opponent’s service games but couldn’t claim the crucial break. And like a football team that dominates possession and keeps striking the woodwork, one started to wonder whether she would get hit on the break.
So it proved as Kudermetova found a hot streak of inspiration and reeled off the last four games in double-quick time. On a cool and blustery evening, her groundstrokes had been hesitant for the previous hour, but she suddenly warmed to her task and started reeling off winners in all directions.
Boulter’s 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 defeat means that Great Britain missed out on a possible new record of four players in the third round of this Australian Open.
It’s not all bad news, however, as Emma Raducanu had earlier overcome Amanda Anisimova to join Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley in the last 32.
This match was a little scrappy at times, and also had to put up with a significant delay when Kudermetova called a medical time-out late in the opening set. She had treatment on her upper back, which extended into the next two changeovers, but the issue didn’t seem to inhibit her much and she finished with 30 winners to Boulter’s 22.
Despite having come in with just a single slam win in the last two years, and a modest world ranking of 75, Kudermetova was the player with more conviction and self-belief. Boulter will have to go back to the training court once again.
09:55 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 6-2, 2-6 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Kudermetova pulverises a winner past Boulter to take the first point but Boulter responds with an ace.
The Russian then gets lucky with a net cord that rolls over the net and stops stone dead, leaving Boulter with no chance.
Kudermetova creams a return to set up match point.
And she repeats the trick with the exact same cross-court return to take the match at the first time of asking.
Kudermetova breaks serve.
That was a hugely disappointing performance by Boulter, who never found her rhythm in a bitty match strewn with unforced errors.
Kudermetova wins 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.
09:50 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 6-2, 2-5 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Kudermetova has four chances to kill off the first point at the net but eventually wins it after Boulter fails with a lob.
An unforced error from Boulter and a searing cross-court winner by the Russian gives her game point, which she takes with an ace.
And Boulter is now in deep trouble.
She is not playing at all well and needs to find a way past an opponent who is playing only slightly better than her.
09:47 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 6-2, 2-4 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter loses the first point but responds well with a booming winner and an equally scorching serve.
There is a rare long rally on the fourth point which Boulter ends by flubbing an unnecessary drop shot.
Kudermetova earns a break-point as Boulter nets after being sent scurrying left and right and the Briton finds the net yet again to hand her opponent a cheap break by netting a regulation forehand.
Kudermetova breaks serve.
09:43 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 6-2, 2-3 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
A straightforward hold there from Kudermetova as Boulter struggles to contend with her first serves.
She twice sends attempted winners long and the Russian edges in front.
Boulter still has the upper hand in the exchanges but she isn’t managing to get the crucial break – and that can be dangerous. It’s the equivalent of the football team that has chance after chance and keeps hitting the woodwork. So often, they get caught on the break.
09:38 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 6-2, 2-2 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Not much flow to the contest so far. Three-quarters of the points have lasted four shots or less, with an average rally length of just three shots. Kudermetova’s serve was the dominant force early on but it has subsided. Boulter beginning to get on top in the rallies.
09:37 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 6-2, 2-2 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Kudermetova goes long with her first return of serve and hits the next into the net.
The unseeded Russian finds a good return on 30-0 which Boulter nets as she can’t get her feet in position in time.
But Kudermetova sends another return long and then nets a regulation backhand to gift the Briton the game.
It’s becoming an unforced-errors contest at the moment as we pass the two hour-mark.
Unless one of them can find their form it’ll be all about who keeps their nerve from hereon.
09:33 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 6-2, 1-2 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Boulter again is able to put pressure on Kudermetova, returning brilliantly to force deuce.
A lengthy baseline exchange is won by Kudermetova as Boulter goes long and the Briton repeats the same mistake to let the Russian off the hook.
Both players are struggling to find their best tennis and so rallies are few and far between.
09:29 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 6-2, 1-1 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter holds out in her first game with a solid display of serving.
Kudermetova is struggling to get Boulter’s first serves back just now.
09:25 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 6-2, 0-1 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Kudermetova is put under pressure in the first set but Boulter passes up a good chance at 30-30 to earn another break point by committing another unforced error.
Boulter powers an attempted winner into the net and the Russian holds out to take the first game.
09:19 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 6-2 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
It’s another tight game as two of Boulter’s slow second serves are punished by Kudermetova to take her to 30-30.
She earns a set-point with another big serve and Kudermetova goes long to hand Boulter the set at the first time of asking.
Boulter wins second set.
Huge difference there between the sets in Katie Boulter’s return game. She put only 35 per cent of balls back in play in set one, but that figure climbed to 60 per cent in set two. She has the momentum again – and this time Kudermetova has no option of calling a medical time-out.
09:14 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 5-2 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Two unforced errors from Boulter on second serves hand Kudermetova two easy points, and the Briton then blasts an attempted winner down the line well wide. She appears to be trying to end the rallies early by hitting winners when they are not really on. More patience required here.
She takes the next two points by following just that advice, staying in the point and waiting for the Russian to net. A nasty backhand slice stays low over the net from Boulter and she follows up with a glorious well-timed winner down the line to bring up deuce from 0-40.
And Boulter hits a fierce return of serve across court to bring up break point. One of the shots of the match so far. Kudermetova then misses Boulter’s wobbly, slightly mishit return and the British No1 is back in the ascendancy.
Boulter breaks serve.
Kudermetova losing some composure there as she gave up a 40-0 scoreline to be broken for 5-2. She was ranting away at her coach in the courtside player box, then missed the most straightforward of forehands wide.
09:08 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 4-2 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
A delightful passing shot down the line with her trusty forehand wins Boulter the first point but she doesn’t put quite enough on her cheeky drop shot, which nets for 15-15.
Kudermetova then hits two excellent returns to earn break point and Boulter nets on 15-40 to let the world No 75 back into the set.
Kudermetova breaks serve.
09:04 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 4-1 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Boulter changes things up in this game with some clever backhand slices that discombobulates Kudermetova.
When the chances present themselves Boulter finds her passing range, while her opponent goes long and wide with her attempted winners, and an attempted lob.
Boulter breaks serve.
08:59 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 3-1 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter almost hits her first serve out of court and sees her second serve punished by a blistering Kudermetova return.
The British No 1 responds with two unreturnable serves and her third is sprayed wide by her increasingly frustrated opponent.
A rare, long rally of powerful hitting is won by Kudermetova as Boulter goes wide but she takes the game with another fierce serve Kudermetova can only shank well wide.
08:56 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 2-1 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Boulter’s level dips a little in this game as she hits several loose shots.
Kudermetova, trying to force the issue a little too much, hits two attempted winners a shade long to keep Boulter interested, but conjures a glorious cross-court winner to claw back a game.
08:52 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-7, 2-0 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter is serving and hitting the ball a lot better now.
She puts a little too much on an attempted winner to cede a point at 30-0 and another unforced error at 40-15 tests her nerve.
But she is moving her opponent around more now and her unwavering hitting is causing Kudermetova problems.
The Russian goes long at the end of another battery of big hitting from Boulter and it’s 2-0.
08:49 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7, 1-0 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
That’s an encouraging game from Boulter who capitalises some uncharacteristically weak serving by Kudermetova to take the game.
Can she resume the momentum that carried her near comeback in the previous set?
Boulter breaks serve.
08:46 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7 (3-7) Kudermetova
Boulter won’t be especially happy with the end of that set, which saw Kudermetova receive a lengthy medical time-out and another bout of physical treatment at the changeover after that. Now there are more massages and rotations going on. But Kudermetova rediscovered her serve and played a strong tie-break.
08:44 AM GMT
Boulter 6-7 (3-7) Kudermetova
Boulter again makes an unforced error to put Kudermetova within two points of the first set, but the Russian is also tight, sending another straightforward shot long for her 15th unforced error.
A nervy rally follows in which Boulter plays a passive approach shot, affording Kudermetova the chance to pass her opponent at the net.
Boulter then skies a rocket of a serve to hand Kudermetova the first set.
Such a shame for Boulter after a valiant comeback in that opening set.
Kudermetova wins first set.
08:39 AM GMT
Boulter 6-6 (2-4) Kudermetova
Kudermetova races into a 3-0 lead as Boulter is mini-broken in the opening point, puts another forehand wide and then is unable to return a booming serve from the Russian.
Boulter is up against it. She places a risky second serve on the line to take her first point of the tie-break but then hits a forehand into the tramlines when a backhand was the prudent decision. A cheap point to give way there.
Kudermetova repays the compliment by netting and it’s 4-2 to the Russian at the end-change.
08:34 AM GMT
Boulter 6-6 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Boulter gets a good look at a second serve but misses the chance to bury her favourite forehand shot, sending it long.
Kudermetova wins the longest rally of the match as Boulter fails to move her feet in order to time her shot.
An ace brings up 40-0 and the Russian takes the game to love with a powerful winner.
Tie-break.
08:31 AM GMT
Boulter* 6-5 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter is in the groove now and she decides the first two points with two fantastic forehands.
An ace gives her 40-0 and then, after a fortuitous net cord, she pulverises another winner down the line to take the game.
Commanding tennis now from the Briton, who has staged a marvellous comeback in this set.
08:28 AM GMT
Boulter 5-5 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Kudermetova wins the first point on serve but then double-faults.
Boulter then gets the better of Kudermetova by coming out on top in a long rally, but she hits long in the next exchange and the Russian emits another loud wail of relief.
Kudermetova’s emotions betray the inner turmoil she seems to be experiencing and she nets before wildly mis-hitting a bog-standard forehand to give Boulter the break she craved.
A composed game there under pressure from Boulter and she’s very much still alive in this set.
Boulter breaks serve.
08:24 AM GMT
Boulter* 4-5 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Very long delay here, just when Boulter had the momentum, and she looks pretty cheesed off. Boulter went to speak to her coach, then started hitting balls off the backboard – which didn’t work too well as it’s covered in a sort of canvassy material – and now she’s hitting serves. It’s a chilly evening as previously mentioned and she must be getting pretty cold.
08:23 AM GMT
Boulter* 4-5 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter was facing set point after 31 minutes but showed some resilience to save three set points and now it’s a bit more interesting. Kurdermetova had a first-serve percentage in the mid 80s at that stage but it’s dropped into the mid-70s. And now Kudermetova has called the trainer to the court.
08:22 AM GMT
Boulter* 4-5 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Kudermetova appears to be holding her chest and is sitting in her chair taking deep breaths.
She has asked for a doctor and is now being attended to by two medics, as she gestures to her sternum and appears to be saying that she has a tightening in the chest.
Boulter has gone over to her coach to have a chat, which is now permitted within the rules of the game, while Kudermetova lies courtside on her front and receives a massage.
Boulter, who one hopes will not let her momentum be affected by this unfortunate 10-minute break, has now taken to practising her serves.
08:16 AM GMT
Boulter* 4-5 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter appears to be coming to life. A series of powerful forehands and a winner into the corner gives her 15-0.
A bizarre point ensues with both players deciding to exchange moonballs. Boulter takes the point with a clever loopy winner – again to Kudermetova’s backhand side.
The Russian fights back though, with a fierce return of serve and then a scorching winner down the line, but then nets at 30-40 and Boulter holds serve. Can Boulter get that second break to stay in the set?
08:11 AM GMT
Boulter 3-5 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Kudermetova powers another good serve down the middle and Boulter can only dolly it up for Kudermetova to put away.
Boulter brings up 15-15 as the Russian for once misses a first serve and then mishits a straightforward forehand out of court.
Boulter assumes a 15-30 lead with a fine forehand winner only for the Russian to respond with a blistering forehand of her own into the corner, which she follows up with an ace.
Kudermetova shows a chink in her armour with a double-fault on set-point. A wicked body serve gives her another set-point but Boulter plays a delightful point, repeatedly targetting her opponent’s backhand before sliding a winner into the open court.
An ace brings up set-point No 3 but Boulter hits a superb return on the Kudermetova second serve to force another deuce.
Boulter unleashes a cracking return of serve before dominating the point and setting up break-point with another winner to Kudermetova’s backhand side.
And Boulter finds another wonerful return to break Kudermetova and stay in the set. Fist-pump time for Katie.
Boulter breaks serve.
08:03 AM GMT
Boulter* 2-5 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter is struggling a little with her serve and goes 15-30 down with the Russian smelling blood.
Boulter tries to switch things up by coming to the net which gets her back in the game, and she gathers herself, hits three good serves and stays in the set. But the Russian will now serve to take that first set.
07:59 AM GMT
Boulter 1-5 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
On the first point Kudermetova plays a nice approach shot to which Boulter responds with a lob the Russian can only slap wildly out of court.
Buoyed by that error Boulter takes the next point with a low cross-court backhand that her opponent can only net. Boulter appears to be moving her feet more quickly now.
Another unforced error on a second-serve is disappointing from Boulter, who is unable to keep another two booming serves by Kudermetova in play, and Boulter contrives to slap a loose forehand into the net to give away another cheap point and the game.
07:56 AM GMT
Boulter* 1-4 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter loses the first point but wins the next two, the second with a ferocious ace. She appears to be targeting the Kudermetova backhand but gets carried away with her second serve on 30-15 and double faults. Another unforced error from Britain’s No 1 gifts Kudermetova another break-point. And she takes it after the best rally of the match so far, involving powerful hitting from both players. But the Russian appears to be moving more quickly and she catches a slightly sluggish-looking Boulter flat-footed with a cross-court winner.
Kudermetova breaks serve.
07:52 AM GMT
Boulter 1-3 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Boulter loses the first point but gets it back to 15-15 as Kudermetova goes long with an attempted winner.
The Russian hits two unreturnable serves but then commits two unforced errors to give Boulter a chance to break back.
But Kudermetova then fires off two more big serves, giving vent to a primal scream as she holds serve.
07:49 AM GMT
Boulter* 1-2 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Greetings from Court Three, on a breezy and rather cool Melbourne evening. Boulter has come out hitting the ball nicely, perhaps feeling as if she got out of jail in her narrow first-round win over Rebecca Marino, but Kudermetova started even more strongly to break early.
Meanwhile Boulter’s fiance Alex de Minaur is sitting in her player box and trying to be incognito in a black cap and black hoodie. The result is that he resembles a Sith Lord: Darth De Minaur perhaps.
07:46 AM GMT
Boulter* 1-2 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter takes the first point comfortably and is relieved to see Kudermetova overindex her slow second serve, pounding it into the tramlines, to move 30-0 up, but all of a sudden the Russian wins three points on the spin to earn her first break-point, helped by some poor serving by the Briton.
Another poor second serve enables Kudermetova to work Boulter around the court and she then scorches a forehand winner to break Boulter and take the early initiative. Boulter let down by her first serves there.
Kudermetova breaks serve.
07:41 AM GMT
Boulter 1-1 Kudermetova* (*denotes server)
Kudermetova responds in kind, untroubled by Boulter’s returns to take her first service game to 15.
07:40 AM GMT
Boulter* 1-0 Kudermetova (*denotes server)
Boulter enjoyed a memorable year last year, soaring up the rankings from 57th in the world to 23rd. She even got engaged to Australian tennis payer Alex de Minaur, who high-tailed it from his first-round win to watch the end of Boulter’s victory over Marino. Boulter found time to follow his progress in the second round too, albeit on TV.
And it’s a comfortable opening service game for Boulter who loses just one point with some solid serving to edge ahead in the set.
06:12 AM GMT
Can Boulter follow Raducanu’s lead?
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of Katie Boulter’s second-round match against Veronika Kudermetova at the Australian Open.
Boulter is bidding to reach the third round at Melbourne for the first time and might perhaps draw inspiration from Emma Raducanu’s battling 6-3, 7-5 victory over Amanda Anisimova earlier today.
Raducanu had to overcome back problems and a barrage of big hitting from Anisimova to set up a third-round encounter with four-time grand-slam champion Iga Swiatek.
Boulter demonstrated similar combative qualities in her first-round win over Rebecca Marino, saving three break points to come through 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes.
The 28-year-old is keen to improve her record in Grand Slams, having only ever reached as far as the third round – twice at Wimbledon and once at the US Open.
“I’m really pleased to be in the second round, because ultimately these matches for me are the most important ones,” she said after a victory she described as “way too stressful”. “Finding a way when someone is swinging free is the difference between the top players and the ones that are ranked slightly lower.”
Today’s opponent is ranked 75th in the world but she swatted aside Olivia Gusecki in the last round 6-1, 6-1. The 27-year-old Russian has also twice reached the third round at the Australian Open and has been as far as the quarter-finals at the French Open in 2022. In the last two years, however, she has not proceeded beyond the second round at a major, and Boulter will want to see to it that this pattern continues.
This first meeting between the two players will get under way shortly.
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