- Briton wins 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 after three-year absence
- Katie Swan and Jodie Burrage both knocked out in first round
In the three years since Katie Boulter last played at Wimbledon, the Briton has experienced enough frustration for a career. She had just broken into the world’s top 100 when a stress fracture in her back put her out for six months and when she finally felt ready to return, the coronavirus pandemic kept her away for longer.
On Monday, as the sun finally broke through the clouds, the 24-year-old made good on her wildcard as she saw off the American qualifier Danielle Lao 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round. The win will lift Boulter back inside the top 200 to about the No 182 mark, 100 places short of her career-high ranking, achieved in February 2019. But the personal significance of her victory, even against a player ranked 239 and playing Wimbledon for the first time, was clear for everyone on court 17 to see.
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