British tennis player Katie Boulter has progressed to the third round of the Miami Open after her opponent, 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova, was forced to retire due to illness during their second-round match.
Boulter, the British number one, was leading 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 when Fruhvirtova withdrew from the match. Despite the victory, Boulter expressed her concern for her opponent’s well-being, stating, “To win like that, I’ll take it but I want her to get better.”
Fruhvirtova, who showed early promise in the match by taking an early lead, struggled with the Florida heat and sought medical attention twice during the encounter. Boulter remarked on the challenging circumstances, noting the tough mental aspect of the game when facing such situations.
While Boulter acknowledged the victory, she emphasized the importance of her opponent’s health and wished her a speedy recovery.
In the men’s singles event, British player Dan Evans fought back from a set down to secure a hard-fought victory against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. Evans’ win marked a rare triumph in what has been a challenging season for the 33-year-old.
Reflecting on his victory, Evans expressed his happiness and relief, considering the difficulties he has faced this year. The win sets up a second-round encounter against American Christopher Eubanks.
Despite the rain forecast disrupting the schedule, Boulter’s victory in “challenging circumstances” highlights her ability to maintain focus and adapt to varying conditions. While not her best performance, Boulter will aim to build on this win as she progresses in the tournament.