Boulter and Dart advance to set up spicy Battle of Britain

With one sweeping backhand passing shot down the line, British No 1 Katie Boulter sauntered through to the second round at Wimbledon yesterday evening.

- KIERAN JACKSON

The 27-year-old had enjoyed a terrific season so far, defending her title in Nottingham and earning the biggest trophy of her career in San Diego in February. En route to that second crown in Nottingham a few weeks back, Boulter battled through a tight and contentious three-set match against British No 2 Harriet Dart, in which Dart labelled the chair umpire “embarrassing” and wagered £50,000 that an overruled line call went against her.

Get the popcorn ready because, enthrallingly, it is Dart who Boutler faces in round two tomorrow. “Playing a Brit in the UK on the grass is never an easy draw,” Boulter said of the all-British match-up. “I’m expecting an absolute battle. But it’s about playing the tennis ball, not the person.”

In their respective first-round duels though, it was the unseeded Dart who was more destructive. Opening day two proceedings on Court 18, the world No 94 needed just 77 minutes – with a rain delay in between uninfluential in altering the course of the match – to dismantle Chinese qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai, 6-4, 6-0.