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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Your support makes all the difference.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 5-7 6-2 0-0 Aliaksandra Sasnovich
That break ended up being about 10 minutes but now the action resumes. Boulter serves wide but Sasnovich manages to get the return over with a touch of spin. Boulter hits the tape and gives away the first point of the set.
She gives away the second point to with another unforced error but manages to get herself going and bring the game level at 30-30.
Three points in a row for Boulter, followed by fist pumps each time, take her to the edge of a hold of serve. Boulter goes wide to the back hand then responds with a drop shot.
Sasnovich is too quick though and flies up to the ball before whipping a forehand winner past the Brit. 40-40.
Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 0-0 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
One more set. Let’s go. Katie Boulter has the ball in hand to serve this opening game but Aliaksandra Sasnovich has left court for the time being.
Boulter took the second set by the horns and managed to get over the line. Can Sasnovich respond in the third?
Katie Boulter 5-7 6-2 Aliaksandra Sasnovich - SET!
Oh well, that was simple.
A double fault from Sasnovich sets the tone for the game and swiftly Katie Boulter is up 0-40. The Belarussian sends down another double and the second set goes to the Brit.
We’re heading for a third set.
Katie Boulter 5-7 5-2 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
Big from Boulter! She defends the break point then flies through to a hold of serve. Now she’s one game away from forcing this match into a decisive third set.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 4-2 Aliaksandra Sasnovich
This game is big. If Boulter can hold she’ll have a few chances to win the set and get back into the match. The first point goes to Sasnovich after Boulter miscues a forehand.
The second goes to the Belarussian as well as Boutler pushes one too wide to the right. An incredible defensive effort from Boulter sees her manage to knock back every effort that Sasnovich throws at her and she eventually gets a point on the board.
Sasnovich drills a backhand into the net and Boulter makes it 30-30. Good comeback from the Brit.
It doesn’t last though as an error gifts up a break point for Sasnovich. Can Boulter save it? Yes!
It’s deuce.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 4-2 Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Sasnovich has landed five forehand winners in this second set, compared to Boulter’s two, but she trails.
The Belarussian settles things down though with a competent hold of serve that means she’s clinging onto Boulter’s tail as the set quickly heads to its conclusion.
The pressure moves back over to Boulter.
Katie Boulter 5-7 4-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
Boulter hasn’t been happy all match. She’s venting her frustration after everything missed shot or lost point. Sasnovich seems more dialled into what she needs to do but it’s not easy.
The Brit lands he next first serve and wins the rally with a forehand smash to take the fifth game to 30-30. When Sasnovich misses her return of serve in the next two rallies Boulter gets the hold.
She’s two games away from winning the second set.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 3-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Sasnovich is starting to lose her grips on proceedings. Boulter takes on a second serve with a strong cross court backhand which is too powerful for her opponent.
It draws her level at 30-30. Boulter then lands one on the baseline but Sasnovich hooks her forehand over to the sideline and takes the point!
Sasnovich holds.
Katie Boulter 5-7 3-0 Aliaksandra Sasnovich*
This second set is following the same pattern as the first. Katie Boulter was two games to love up in that one as well before Aliaksandra Sasnovich broke her.
This service game sees both women trade points to 30-30 before Boulter sends down a wonderful serve to edge ahead. It’s deuce though after an inside out forehand from Sasnovich is too good for the Brit. That’s a brilliant shot under pressure.
Equally good from Boulter! She forces an error by going on the attack then holds serve with a couple of powerful strikes. The hold of serve is hers and she completes the break.
The Brit has the first three games of the second set.
*Katie Boulter 5-7 2-0 Aliaksandra Sasnovich - BREAK!
Sasnovich has been pretty composed throughout this match. She’s quite often found herself 0-30 down in her own service games and has somehow found a way to win.
This game might be too much for her though. Three errors from the Belarussian leave Boulter with three break points. Sasnovich serves into the net then follows up going to Boulter’s backhand.
The return is good but, again, Boulter’s next forehand goes too long.
Boulter takes the next opportunity though! She breaks and has a grip on the second set now.
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