WASHINGTON, July 19, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Katie Boulter can chalk up her Progress Tour Women’s Championship title victory over Jodie Burrage to her experience. Although Boulter rarely had to play from behind during her week-long run to the title in Roehampton, England, she maintained her composure when she trailed early against Burrage on Saturday and was rewarded in a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory.
Down 3-0 to start the final, it took a little while for the 374th-ranked Boulter to find her range with her forehand returns and to steady her nerves in the blustery conditions. However, once she did, there was no turning back. Boulter came from a set and a break down and picked up enough momentum to level the match during the second set of the two hour and 12 minute final That was contested on a hard court at the LTA National Tennis Centre.
In the final set, Boulter took advantage of two breaks of Burrage’s serve, the second which rewarded the 23-year-old Leicester native with the match on her racquet. Promptly, Boulter’s seventh ace was bookended around three unforced errors by Burrage. The former World No. 82 and British Fed Cup member won on her first match point opportunity when Burrage netted a forehand return.
“Obviously, I’m very happy to get the win,” said Boulter. “There was some good tennis and some bad tennis. Sometimes, you just have to find your way. I’m very happy with the result.”
Boulter, who overcame four service breaks and outpointed Burrage 92-89, capitalized on five service breaks in eight tries against her 21-year-old opponent whom she defeated in straight sets two days earlier in group play. “I felt like I was struggling a little bit body-wise but I was tryin to push myself through and got a little bit lucky and kept the ball on the court,” she said. “Sometimes it happens. Today things went my way.”
Stunning winners from @katieboulter1 & @jodieburrage ✅
Enjoy all the best shots from the final day of @theprogresstour Women’s Championships pic.twitter.com/bt1CmPPQFm
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 18, 2020
The loss was just the third for the 289th-ranked Burrage in her last 17 matches during this summer’s British Tour events. Two of them have come against Boulter this week. Boulter said during her post-match interview she feels if Burrage can maintain her consistency she could do well.
“If she keeps playing that way, she’s going to go very far,” said Boulter. “I’ve always thought Jodie’s a very good player. She’s starting to put it all together and it’s really nice to see.”
Boulter’s victory was the culmination of five consecutive wins in five days after being inactive for the past 19 weeks because of the coronavirus lockdown of pro tennis. “Just to get my body through five matches was a huge accomplishment for me,” she said. “That was my aim for the week.”
5 days 5 matches ✅ it’s good to be back 😜 pic.twitter.com/BdyUdWVkdn
— Katie Boulter (@KatieBoulter1) July 18, 2020
Earlier, in a breakthrough performance, 17-year-old Amelia Bissett defeated Erin Richardson, 19, 6-3, 6-2, to earn the Division One title. The clean-hitting Bissett, who is ranked No. 134 in the ITF rankings, won five straight matches to garner the title and did not drop any sets throughout the tournament.
🏆 @milliebissett is @TheProgressTour Division 1 champion 🏆
Read the full match report from Bissett’s impressive final win here 👉 https://t.co/Cua8RE7M0n pic.twitter.com/PTYGapSlk9
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 18, 2020
The doubles title was won by Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls over Emily Arbuthnott and Anna Popescu, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
Our Progress Tour Women’s Championships doubles winners @OliviaNicholls and @LisseyBarnett A busy week for both who part of the team that organised the event. Thanks ladies and now you can sleep 😴 #ptwomenschamps #britishtennis pic.twitter.com/F9Teuz3kJO
— The Progress Tour – British Prize Money Events (@TheProgressTour) July 18, 2020
Power, depth lift Freedoms into WTT first place
Sofia Kenin won her showdown with Venus Williams 5-1 en route to leading the Philadelphia Freedoms to a 22-14 victory over the Washington Kastles in World TeamTennis play Saturday afternoon at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Freedoms are 4-1 at the end of the first week of the WTT season.
#WTT2020: @AustralianOpen Champ @SofiaKenin defeated icon Venus Williams while the @PhillyFreedoms (4-1) showed off power & depth with their 2nd convincing win against @WashKastles in two days securing 1st place in the standings.
📰 Get the details: https://t.co/m1TwgBUhXl— World TeamTennis (@WorldTeamTennis) July 19, 2020
Is Dominic Thiem ready to make his move?
As Dominic Thiem goes after his second bett1ACES title of the week in Berlin, Tennis.com’s Steve Tignor takes a look at Thiem and ponders if the World No. 4 is ready to make his Alpha move in pushing the Big Three.
Dominic Thiem has played a lot during the lockdowns, and done some talking, too.
Will he finally be ready to leave the long shadows of the Big 3 behind when the tours resume?
From @SteveTignor: https://t.co/gk04HmH7V0
— TENNIS (@Tennis) July 17, 2020
How they’re spending their lockdown time
What they’re photographing
🎾📸 || @Venuseswilliams @WorldTeamTennis pic.twitter.com/vMewoOvCiN
— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) July 17, 2020
Stan’s the Man
This is a phenomenal achievement. Congratulations to you two. https://t.co/eRWkHBXWlP
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) July 17, 2020
Happy 40th Birthday Esther Vergeer
View this post on Instagram
She’s a 14x US Open champion and scored 470 consecutive wins. Happy Birthday, @esthervergeer! 🎂
What they’re sharing on social media
Garbiñe Muguruza / Zumba morning
Andrea Petkovic / Practicing with baby face
Practices with 1 baby face, becomes 1 baby face 😻 @janniksin #thisistennis pic.twitter.com/7U5QwrZszo
— Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) July 18, 2020
Maria Sharapova / Mornings in Colorado
Mornings in Colorado ☀️ pic.twitter.com/wBQR3KxpQC
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) July 18, 2020
