- Boulter came from a set and collapsed to beat Irina Camelia Begu 6-7, 6-3, 6-0
- Norrie won his best victory since he beat Casper Ruud at 2024 Australian Open
Two weeks after being in a medical boot, Katie Boulter is in the third round of Indian Wells, where she will face the former Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina.
The British No. 1, playing his first match since the Australian Open, came from a set and a break to beat Irina Camelia Begu 6-7, 6-3, 6-0.
Boulter felt pain in his foot throughout the Australian swing, but he did it properly after opening – and, as she said: “It was not an excellent situation.”
She said before the tournament: “Two weeks ago, I was in a boot. So, my point of view is good enough in terms of being here and being ready to fight and like to be on the ground.
Fighting, it certainly did against the world number 74 which was as high as 22. Begu collapsed in the third set but which looked an important favorite when it led by a set and 2-1 against a player who, in her own admission, was not 100%.
But Boulter gradually eliminated part of the rust that accumulated more than seven weeks without a match and in the end, she was serving and heard well.
Katie Boulter reached Indian Wells the third round when she came from a set and breaks down
Cam Norrie, on the other hand, has also progressed with his best victory by the ranking from the Australian Open from last year
“I started quite slowly,” said the 28 -year -old player. “You get used to things again, including the movements and trying to face the situation that has not played a few games. I felt very well suited and I am very proud today because it is very easy to leave a match like that, especially when you have not played much. I just tried to stay positive and remember that he will click at some point. And this is the case.
Boulter was followed in the third round by compatriot Cam Norrie, who also came from a set to beat the Czech world n ° 24 Jiri Lehecka 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Norrie had a terrible moment last season and it was his best victory by ranking since he beat Casper Ruud at the Australian Open 2024. He lost so many tight games in the last 12 months, so digging it against a quality player, saving outlets at 5-5 in the third, will have been extremely satisfactory.
