Katie Boulter edged out by Kvitova at Eastbourne but Dart charge continues

Ever since Katie Boulter reached the top 100 three years ago and then briskly fell out of it after a lengthy back injury, her greatest challenge has just been trying to get back there. On this long road, her momentum has continually been halted by numerous injuries and at times the level she believes she should be playing at has seemed far away.

In recent weeks, however, Boulter has found her way once more. After defeating the world No 7 Karolina Pliskova for the biggest win of her career on Tuesday, Boulter followed that with another great match against top opposition. In a tense, competitive encounter, the two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova edged past Boulter 5-7, 6-0, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals at Eastbourne.

This grass season has reinforced that Boulter has the weapons to reside in the top 100, competing against the very best players each week. Boulter reached the quarter-final in Birmingham by clinching what was then her biggest career win over 35-ranked grass enthusiast Alison Riske in the first round. With her efforts, she has now risen back into the top 120, rounding in on the top 100 where she hopes to remain.

As Boulter departed, the tremendous tournament for British women continued as Harriet Dart consolidated her own grass court season with a 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-3 win over the world No 23 Jil Teichmann in the second round, a match that had been halted on Tuesday night at one set all due to poor light. It marks the second biggest win of her career. Dart faces Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine later as she looks to reach her first career WTA 500 quarter-final in Eastbourne.

“I think it’s great to see all the British girls and guys pulling through and I think the potential has always been there,” Boulter said