British No 1 Katie Boulter made it through to third round of the Miami Open after her teenage opponent Brenda Fruhvirtova retired injured.
Boulter came into the match as a seed, having reached a career-high No 27 earlier this month, and she progressed after her 16-year-old opponent Fruhvirtova retired from their match in the middle of a rain delay with the score at 7-6 (7-5) 1-0.
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Boulter won the opening set with this scintillating forehand
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Boulter says she’s never won through retirement before and found it tough to focus on her own game
“It’s a tough situation obviously, it felt like it was a match I was going to get into more and more,” Boulter told Sky Sports’ Laura Robson.
“She’s played a match on these courts, so I was always going to find it difficult to come out and play,
“It’s not a situation I’ve been in before, it’s something new for me.
“To win a match like that, obviously I’ll take it, but of course I wanted to get better, and she’s a young talent and going to do very, very well in the future.
“It’s one of the toughest things to do. Halfway through the match I’m seeing her coaches telling her to pull out, and then she’s not, so there’s a lot going on.
“One minute she’s struggling, and then she’s running 10 shots side to side. It’s a tough mental game.”
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Boulter also landed this disguised slice winner during her opening win
Henman: It wasn’t pretty for Boulter but she’s made big strides
“It’s about finding a way to get the victory. People talk about winning ugly, and it wasn’t pretty at times for Boulter,” Tim Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
“She lost her first service game, and you felt she was always playing catch-up.
“She didn’t panic, she had to fight hard, she had to keep her emotions in check, but she got the win and is through to the third round.
“I bet she’ll play better in the next round.
“There’s many ways to beat people, and sometimes to stay in rallies and extend them is the way.
“Boulter isn’t scared to take the ball on when she has the opportunity. Her athletic ability has improved so much.
“She’s made big strides. The offensive game will always be there, but the stronger she is in defence will be another string to her bow.”
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