Naomi Broady crushed Katie Boulter in the final set of an initially close three set US Open Qualifying 1st round match. The Stockport native could be on her way to salvaging a poor season that’s seen her sink to World #155. Broady secured a confidence-gaining 6-4 4-6 6-1 victory. She showed flashes of the form that saw her become world #76 in 2016.
Boulter beat Naomi Broady earlier in the year, on the ITF Tour in three sets in Fukuoka. Boulter will have be forgiven for being a tad complacent going into this qualifier.
Just When Katie Boulter was Looking Like Reaching the Next Level
Slam qualifiers can often be difficult to predict. This is because what’s at stake often causes out of form players to delve deep into their resolves. Katie Boulter outranks Naomi Broady by 49 places, but that did not show today. Ever since Boulter was pushed to the limit by 15 year old Fernandez in Rogers Cup qualifying, she has not looked the same confident player.
This defeat takes Boulter to 11-11 on hard courts, but she has been playing well this North American hard court season. Making the 2nd Round of the Citi Open showed that Boulter is a worthy WTA main draw player. However, the curse of the Brits has struck her down. Last week in a foray to the ITF Tour, Heather Watson put her to the sword in the quarterfinals of an ITF Canada event.
A Needed Boost for Broady After A Winless Grass Season
Not for the first time in her career, the Stockport heroine went through the grass court season without a singles win. A Wimbledon wild card culminated in a first round loss to Garbine Muguruza. This was the only match of note she played.
Broady has struggled for form all year and has fallen out of GB Fed Cup reckoning. However, the composure she showed today, gives hope to her chances of salvaging her season. A run to the main draw at Flushing Meadows would definitely do that.
Georgina Garcia Perez up Next for Broady
Spanish world #154 Georgina Garcia Perez is next in line to face Naomi Broady. This is a close match in many respects. A single world ranking spot separates the pair.
There is no head-to-head to speak of either. Garcia Perez beat Anne Schaefer in straight sets in the first round. The 6’1″ Spaniard will look to impose herself early and dominate the court. Don’t be too surprised if net charging is a feature of her play. This will be a close match, but Brits will be hopeful that Broady’s form can continue going the right way.
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