Boulter loss continues British slump, but Swan stops the rot

LONDON, June 30 : Britain's woeful start to Wimbledon continued on Tuesday as Katie Boulter became the 11th home player to crash out in the first round, crumbling to a 6-4 6-2 defeat to teenaged Grand Slam debutant Tyra Caterina Grant.

Injuries to Emma Raducanu, who withdrew on Sunday, and Jack Draper, who pulled out on Monday, meant 19 British players were in first-round action — 12 of them receiving wildcards and three coming through qualifying.

By the time Boulter slid to defeat against qualifier Grant before lunch on day two, only eight were left and that number was further reduced after men's singles defeats for Jack Pinnington Jones and Harry Wendelken.

Ten defeats on a sobering Monday, including for the usually reliable British number one Cameron Norrie against American qualifier Michael Zheng, were the home nation's worst day at Wimbledon this century.

SWAN GETS A HOME WIN

There was finally a home victory to cheer on Tuesday though as world number 196 Katie Swan beat Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4 6-4 in front of a joyous crowd on Court 16.

Swan, 27, was once highly rated having won the Australian Open junior title but quit the Tour with a chronic back injury three years ago and took up coaching.

"It's been a rough few years for me, getting back to a point where I can play a Slam again," Swan said. "I played Begu here eight years ago, and that was the last time I won a match here. It's kind of full circle to play her again and win today."

With Raducanu out with a stress fracture, Boulter was Britain's best hope in the women's draw having two WTA grass court titles to her name and an impressive victory against former Wimbledon champion and this year's second seed Elena Rybakina this month at Queen's Club.

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