Katie Boulter overcomes serving woes to battle into Queen's second round

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Katie Boulter is through to the second round - Getty Images /Luke Walker
Katie Boulter served nine double faults but still had enough to beat Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6, 1-6, 6-4 to reach the second round at Queen's.
A day after enjoying victory as part of the 'Boultercanu' double act, this time around, Boulter had to dig deep on Andy Murray Arena. She powered down five aces and took the first set on a tie-break but her serve was not as reliable in the second half of the contest.
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Momentum shifted constantly in the deciding set, with four consecutive breaks of serve, and at one point, Boulter could be heard yelling 'thank you' after saving a break point.
In the end, the British No 1 had just enough to pip her Australian opponent and delight the home crowd, who filed into the 7,700 seater stadium.
Elsewhere, Heather Watson secured a fine straight sets win over Yulia Putintseva – prevailing 6-4, 6-3 against a player ranked 137 places above her – with the reward a showdown against Elena Rybakina in the second round.
Full report to come...
03:48 PM BST
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03:41 PM BST
Boulter reacts
I was battling really hard out there. I know how good Ajla is. She has made many quarter-finals at slams and she is very good on this surface.
It is never easy coming straight from the clay to the grass and I'm just happy to get through and feel very grateful for all of you guys [for the support].
It was really difficult. I did feel like I was battling my own mind at times, this surface can do that to you.
I didn't feel like I served that great, and I have room to improve, but I'm just happy to be through to the second round. I came out yesterday to watch Andy get his first court [named after him], which is special in itself. To get the women back here [at Queen's] feels very special.
It's actually something I dreamt of, having come here the last couple of years to watch the men play, so I'm just really grateful to be on this court.
03:39 PM BST
WATCH: The winning moment for Boulter
03:30 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 6-4 Tomljanovic*
Nervy double fault by Tomljanovic to start the game. Low backhand pass by Boulter, Tomljanovic volley sits up nicely for Boulter to step in and drill a backhand down the line, 0-30.
Boulter shanks a forehand wide, 15-30. Deep return by Boulter rushes Tomljanovic and Australian sends a backhand long, two match points.
Backhand to backhand exchange between the players, Boulter gets the edge and drills a backhand down the line which is too hot for Tomljanovic and her forehand flies long.
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GAME SET MATCH BOULTER!!
03:25 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 5-4 Tomljanovic
Boulter has got just 52 per cent of her first serves into play and it's no shock when she hits another double fault, 15-15.
A first serve down the T is too much for Tomljanovic and prompts a big roar from the Briton, 40-15. And she completes a gritty hold with a backhand winner down the line.
Now she can get after Tomljanovic's serve in the next game.
03:22 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 4-4 Tomljanovic*
It's been 20 minutes since we've had a hold of serve but we finally have one and it goes the way of Tomljanovic. She holds to 15 when Boulter sprays a backhand wide.
03:17 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 4-3 Tomljanovic
Boulter places a forehand will wide of the court, 15-30. Boulter backhand into the net and two chances for Tomljanovic to hit right back.
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Deep Tomljanovic return and Boulter nets again on the backhand wing. Tomljanovic breaks.
03:14 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 4-2 Tomljanovic*
This match has been short on quality but filled with drama. So it's no surprise that Tomljanovic is broken again after a double fault. Can Boulter hold serve now?
03:08 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 3-2 Tomljanovic
Huge 'come on' from Boulter after she rips a forehand into the corner, 30-15. Back comes Tomljanovic with an enormous forehand of her own, 30-all.
Tomljanovic taking big swings again and she rushes Boulter into an error. Boulter backhand long and we have another twist in this topsy turvy match.
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Tomljanovic breaks.
03:03 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 3-1 Tomljanovic*
Boulter's momentum continues and now Tomljanovic is facing two more break points on her serve. Boulter keeps herself in the point, turns defence into attack and gets the forehand error from Tomljanovic.
Boulter breaks.
02:59 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 2-1 Tomljanovic
No problems on serve in this game for Boulter. She holds to love with a forehand winner and I'm wondering where has this been for the last 40 minutes.
She is like a completely different player.
02:56 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 1-1 Tomljanovic*
Tomljanovic is playing with so much freedom and giving Boulter no time to react as she moves to 40-15. But all of a sudden, her level drops and she now faces a break point after a double fault.
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And Boulter bounces back, going on the attack and off a short ball by Tomljanovic, she flicks a forehand into the corner.
02:51 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 0-1 Tomljanovic
Double fault by Boulter to start the set. She's really struggling on serve at the moment. Excellent depth from Tomljanovic and Boulter nets a forehand, 15-30.
Yet another double fault means Tomljanovic has two break points. She saves the first break point and then the second when Tomljanovic sprays a forehand return log.
Aggressive shotmaking by Tomljanovic. An approach to the net is good and she puts a forehand volley away comfortably. Third break point.
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Tense rally ensues and Boulter blinks first, pushing a forehand long. Tomljanovic breaks to claim her sixth game in a row.
02:43 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-6 Tomljanovic*
Shanked forehand by Boulter flies high and wide of the court, 30-all. Timely first serve by Tomljanovic and Boulter nets her return.
Tomljanovic ace down the T and Boulter will need three sets to win this.
02:41 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-5 Tomljanovic
Another double fault by Boulter, 0-30. But crucially she hits back to move to 30-all. Deep Tomljanovic return rushes Boulter into another error, break point.
Tomljanovic duly gets the double break when Boulter nets a backhand.
02:35 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-4 Tomljanovic*
Tomljanovic has having a purple patch right now. Striking the ball very clean, with good margin for error. She crushes a forehand down the line to hold.
02:33 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-3 Tomljanovic
Three errors in a row by Boulter and Tomljanovic has three break points. Boulter saves the first and has a chance to save the second but places her backhand into the tramlines.
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The shot didn't need to be that good. She misjudged it and that's proven costly.
Tomljanovic breaks.
02:30 PM BST
'The Pimms jugs have started to make an appearance'
As we get further into the afternoon the pimms jugs have started to make an appearance, as have more fans.
The Andy Murray Arena is slowly filling up to watch Boulter in action as she manages to survive another double fault.
02:29 PM BST
Boulter 7-6, 1-2 Tomljanovic*
Stress free service hold from Tomljanovic as she showcases her power. The Australian has not given up on this match.
02:25 PM BST
Boulter* 7-6, 1-1 Tomljanovic
Deep return by Tomljanovic and Boulter slices a defensive backhand into the net. 15-30. The sun has come out in west London and is posing a small problem for Boulter with her ball toss.
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Boulter gets low and whips a backhand into the corner for a winner, 40-30. Textbook shot making by the Briton. But she follows it up with a double fault.
Boulter is making heavy weather of the service game, she is up to five double faults now. But she finds a much needed ace, the ball arching away from 'Tomljanovic', to hold.
02:17 PM BST
Second set: Boulter 7-6, 0-1 Tomljanovic*
Boulter will be keen to put her foot on the accelerator and break Tomljanovic here but the Australian resists and holds.
Katie Boulter took the opening set - Getty Images/Dan Istitene
02:11 PM BST
TIE-BREAK - Boulter 7-6 Tomljanovic
Boulter backhand into the net, 3-4. Tomljanovic forehand into the net, 4-4. Good first serve by Boulter unreturned. 5-4.
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'Come on' from Boulter after Tomljanovic puts a backhand long, 6-4. Boulter seals the set with a cross court forehand winner, 7-4.
02:08 PM BST
TIE-BREAK - Boulter 6-6 Tomljanovic
Tomljanovic return wide, 1-0. Tomljanovic ace, 1-1.A jammy drop shot winner from Boulter, 2-1. Boulter double fault, 2-2. Boulter hits back with an ace, 3-2. Boulter return wide, 3-3.
02:04 PM BST
Boulter 6-6 Tomljanovic*
Must hold service game for the Australian if she wants to force a tie-break. Good second serve by Tomljanovic, Boulter somehow gets the ball into play and Tomljanovic nets a short forehand, 0-30.
Class by Tomljanovic to hit a deft volley off a Boulter backhand cross. And her big serve keeps her out of damage.
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Into a tie-break we go!!!
01:57 PM BST
Boulter* 6-5 Tomljanovic
When Boulter gets her first serve in, she is in tough to bear. Especially on this serve. A couple of double fault put Boulter under threat by 40-30 but she holds again when Tomljanovic strikes a wild forehand long.
01:54 PM BST
Boulter 5-5 Tomljanovic*
Tomljanovic is well in this match now. Similar game styles, cancelling each other out. The Australian stands firm and prolongs the set.
01:51 PM BST
Boulter* 5-4 Tomljanovic
Tomljanovic responds again and get break points at 15-40. Boulter saves the first with an ace but Tomljanovic breaks again when Boulter sends a backhand long.
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This has been a topsy-turvy match so far.
01:48 PM BST
Boulter 5-3 Tomljanovic*
A double fault and backhand into the net gives Boulter a look at breaking. Tomljanovic beats Boulter with a backhand cross court but can't find the sideline.
Three break points. Tomljanovic saves the first but Boulter earns the break after a forehand error.
01:43 PM BST
Boulter* 4-3 Tomljanovic
Clenched fist and a 'come on' shout from Boulter after a crushing a cross court forehand pass for a winner. 40-15.Short forehand by Boulter is punished by Tomljanovic, who drills a flat backhand into the corner, deuce.
Boom. Tomljanovic nails a backhand winner earn a break point. Saved again by Boulter, who finds a first serve and draws the error.
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Another chance for Tomljanovic to break here. Brilliant second serve by Boulter into the corner to see out the danger. And she escapes with the game when Tomljanovic strikes a forehand long.
01:34 PM BST
Boulter 3-3 Tomljanovic*
Tomljanovic follows Boulter with a comfortable service game of their own. Andy Murray Arena is gradually livening up.
01:33 PM BST
'Crowd is quite subdued'
After the early breaks of serve, both players just seem to be settling into this match and the occasion.
The crowd is quite subdued, even when Boulter does win a point and the main arena is maybe only a touch over half full.
01:28 PM BST
Boulter* 3-2 Tomljanovic
First two aces of the match for Boulter as she moves to 40-0. When her serve is flowing and finding its spot, it is very tough to deal with.
01:26 PM BST
Boulter 2-2 Tomljanovic*
Boulter's first strike tennis is causing some problems from Tomljanovic. The Australian is being rushed by the length of the Briton's shots. Must she manage to come through another game.
01:21 PM BST
Boulter* 2-1 Tomljanovic
Boulter's boyfriend Alex de Minuar is sitting courtside and showing his support. He applauds as Boulter completes the first hold of serve to love.
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A glimpse of what she is capable of on this surface.
01:18 PM BST
Boulter 1-1 Tomljanovic*
Back comes Boulter. She earns two immediate break point chance. A deep backhand rushes Tomljanovic and the Aussie's backhand drifts wide.
Boulter breaks amd we're back level.
01:14 PM BST
First set: Katie Boulter* 0-1 Ajla Tomljanovic (*denotes server)
This will be a tough opening test for Boulter against Tomljanovic. This is the third meeting and Tomljanovic leads the head-to-head 2-1. Long lay-offs from injury have hampered her progress but she is capable of making things difficult.
Fittingly, the Australian earns a break point here after a deep return forces the Briton into an error. Boulter saves it but gifts Tomljanovic another chance with a backhand into the net.
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Tomljanovic's return is short and Boulter has to scamper forward. She gets there in time but whips her forehand long. Tomljanovic breaks.
12:57 PM BST
'Ominous grey clouds'
The rain is holding off so far as the fans await the arrival of Katie Boulter onto centre court – or the recently renamed Andy Murray Arena.
It is under half full at the moment, but more might come in throughout the afternoon.
However, more ominously are the grey clouds currently sitting overhead, although it is not raining – at least not yet.
12:56 PM BST
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12:44 PM BST
British No 1 in action
Hello and welcome to coverage from Queen's, where a women's tournament is being staged for the first time since 1973.
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Our focus here will be on the British No 1 Katie Boulter, who takes on Australian Ajla Tomljanovic on Andy Murray Arena.
A high-quality field has been assembled in south west London including Olympic champion Quinwen Zheng, reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, current Australian Open champion Madison Keys and former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina.
The inaugural version of the revamped event will boast total prize money of $1.415 million, the highest for a WTA 500 event of its draw size on the Tour, with the singles champion receiving a cool $164,000 and Boulter says the sense of excitement is sweeping through.
'You can feel how excited everyone is,' she said. 'Getting the chance to play here is an absolute privilege so I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.
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'I've come here quite a bit watching tennis and I've got some good memories of coming and watching Alex (De Minaur) over the last few years. I've always said to myself, I wish there was a women's event here, I wish I had the chance to play on this court.
'You can feel the history, you can feel how incredible it is. I've seen this court packed and obviously it's new this year, which is going to be a really interesting moment for me because I think I'm going to feel a lot of support from the British crowd. I'm going to get a lot of emotions coming out of me at that point.'
Grass is a surface where Boulter has secured some of her best results in the past – namely, her back-to-back titles in Nottingham over the last two seasons.
In her first event back from the clay, the Briton is hoping she can build some momentum this week to kick-start her favourite time of the season.
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'Coming into the grass court season it's a completely clean slate,' Boulter explained. 'For the first week on grass there are no expectations. Obviously coming to a WTA 500 at an incredible event it does bring out stress a little bit more and I want to do well here, but I know it's my first week and I'm trying to build towards Wimbledon as well.'
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