Katie Boulter v Aliaksandra Sasnovich LIVE: US Open tennis scores as British No.1 secures comeback win
The US Open first round continues with Dan Evans, Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper also in action at Flushing Meadows
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Katie Boulter got her US Open campaign off to a successful start as she faced Belarussian Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round at Flushing Meadows in New York. The British No.1 took to court against the qualifier and never settled in the opening set.
After taking a 2-0 lead, Boulter slipped behind and lost the opener to a thriving Sasnovich who looked dangerous. However, Boulter recovered to take the next two sets without much trouble, holding serve in each game and securing enough breaks to win the match 5-7 6-2 6-1.
She now advances into the second round and will be hoping for a long run at the tournament this time around. Boulter has had a good and consistent this year so far, winning two WTA Tour titles but has underperformed in the majors. In 2024, she is is yet to progress futher than the second round at a Grand Slam but will be confident after her win on Tuesday.
Relive the action from Boulter’s opening US Open match below:
Katie Boulter comes through testing conditions to reach second round of US Open
British number one Katie Boulter showcased her fighting spirit to book her place in the second round of the US Open.
Boulter, seeded 31st in the final grand slam of the year, joined compatriot Harriet Dart in the next stage after a 5-7 6-2 6-1 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The win was far more testing than the scoreline suggests as she endured a battle in sweltering New York conditions.
Katie Boulter comes through testing conditions to reach second round of US Open
The British number one showcased her fighting spirit.
Katie Boulter, speaking to Sky Sports, after her first-round win over qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich:
“It’s not easy coming out here to play your first round against someone who has been top 30 - she knows how to play tennis. I know it would be a battle, she’s played three matches on these courts.
“I feel I came out really well but she responded quickly in the first set. I tried to reset and play a better second and third and proud I managed to stay in there and bring a good level to the court.”
Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 6-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich - GAME, SET & MATCH!
That is no-nonsense from Katie Boulter!
A hold of serve to love to serve out the match is a sign of class from the Brit who advances into the second round after a testing opening match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Boulter struggled to get going in the first set but afterwards she was electric and, though she never hit her stride, she got through the difficulties and claimed the win.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 5-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich - BREAK!
Boulter is on fire now. Sasnovich comes up to the net to try and get herself going again but Boulter sees her and flicks over a lob that lands in play and takes her to 0-30.
A double fault from Sasnovich affords Boulter three break points and a chance to serve out the match.
She only needs one!
Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 4-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
Boulter holds! That might break Sasnovich’s spirit. She had two chances to break, didn’t take them, and then messed up from deuce with two errors.
Boulter moves ever closer to winning this match. She’s two games away.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 3-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Boulter needs to consolidate her break now and ensure that she firmly takes control of the third set.
She starts of shakily with a couple of missed serves. Sasnovich doesn’t take full advantage but wins the first point after a wayward forehand from her opponent.
Boulter tries to fight back from 0-30 down but can’t get things to click. Sasnovich has a couple of break points to get back into the set.
She attempts to win it on the first opportunity with a backhand drop shot but fails to get it over the net. On the second chance, Boulter lays her up for a whipped forehand but she hooks it out of play!
Deuce.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 3-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich - BREAK!
Is this the chance?
Boulter manages to get herself 0-30 up against the serve and has a strong chance to break. Sasnovich is stubborn though and will stick to her guns.
Boulter finds the net to get the Belarussian on the board and the next rally is tense. Sasnovich dictates most of it from the centre of court and gets her reward as Boulter finds the tape again. 30-30.
Wonderful! Boulter pins Sasnovich on the baseline with two strong backhands and comes up to the net. She volleys over a drop shot winner and has a break point.
It’s there! A double fault from Sasnovich puts Boulter into the lead.
Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 2-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
As simple as you like from Katie Boulter. It’s a hold of serve to love. There hasn’t been many of those this afternoon and it may be a sign that the two players are just starting to tire.
One break of serve in this set could decide the match.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 1-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Boulter hasn’t played her best tennis today but she won’t be focused on that yet. A second serve from Sasnovich is launched on by a Boulter forehand which is directed back at the Belarussian. Sasnovich only manages to find the net.
Sasnovich takes the next two points in a composed manner.
She goes on to hold comfortably.
Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 1-0 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
Boulter saves a couple of break points and is being tasked with digging deep in this game to get a hold of serve. Sasnovich senses this is a moment and steps into court to muller a couple of backhands.
She goes to advantage for the third time and for a third time Boulter drags her back to deuce.
Oh brilliant! Boulter roars as she first saves a fourth break point then finally gets the hold of serve she needs.
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