WTA Tour: Katie Boulter makes winning comeback at Indian Wells and sets up meeting with Elena Rybakina
Katie Boulter recovered from a set down to beat Irina-Camelia Begu 6-7 6-3 6-0 in the second round in California; Boulter was making her return from a foot injury and will face Elena Rybakina in the next round; Iga Swiatek, Jessica Peguala and Mirra Andreeva also advance at Indian Wells
Saturday 8 March 2025 07:57, UK
Katie Boulter marked her WTA Tour return by battling back from a set down to claim a hard-fought victory over Irina-Camelia Begu in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
Boulter was playing just her third tournament of the year and first match since January's Australian Open, due to a foot injury, with the Brit given a bye to face Begu on Friday.
The 28-year-old was broken in the fourth game and fell 4-1 down in the opening set, where she registered six double faults, but responded by breaking back to love in the seventh game on her way to forcing a tie-break.
- Latest tennis scores, results and schedule 📝
- Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺
- Sky Sports Tennis podcast - subscribe and download 🔊
Begu won the opening set before Boulter responded by dropping just three games over the next two, winning 6-7 6-3 6-0 to claim her first main-draw victory at Indian Wells in her career.
"When I haven't played any matches for a while, I'm obviously going to come out a bit rusty," Boulter told Sky Sports. "Honestly, on the practice court, I felt a little bit undercooked and I'm still trying to look after my body.
"I think the biggest win for me today is getting through a whole match and we'll see how the foot reacts in the next couple of days. Honestly, I'm beaming with that win. Sometimes it's just about fighting and finding a way and today I did that."
Boulter will have a tough challenge in the third round against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, with the seventh seed seeing off Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens in straight sets.
"I've got absolutely nothing to lose," Boulter said. "I was playing some of my best tennis and I'm pretty sure she absolutely kicked me off the court last time I played her. I've got no expectations.
"I'm just coming back from injury. The biggest win is getting through a match and then playing back-to-back matches is a dream for me right now for my body. So very happy. We'll see what we can do."
Elsewhere in the women's draw, Iga Swiatek got her title defence off to a strong start with a 6-2 6-0 thrashing of Carolina Garcia and will now face Dayana Yastremska after the Ukrainian upset Ons Jabeur.
Plus, Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva both advanced in straight sets under the lights, beating Magda Linette 6-4 6-2 and Varvara Gracheva 7-5 6-4 respectively.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
