Katie Boulter defeated Elena Rybakina, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, in the Queen’s Club Championships quarter-finals.
The British star delivered one of the finest performances of her career to down the world number two on Friday evening.
Boulter saved break point after break point in the deciding third set as she booked her place in the semi-finals, where she will meet Croatia’s Donna Vekic.
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The Queen’s crowd supported the 29-year-old from the first point to the last, and she made sure to thank them in her post-match interview.
Katie Boulter dedicates Queen’s quarter-final win over Elena Rybakina to the fans
“I mean, honestly, I’m not really sure what to say, but I really feel like this win definitely goes towards the crowd that got me through it tonight, and stayed out here,” she said.
After thanking the crowd, Boulter shared her thoughts on the match itself.
“That was absolutely incredible. I just tried to tell myself to keep backing myself and go for it. If you don’t go for it, you’re going to regret the things you worked so hard for,” said Boulter.
“I’m standing here a winner, and it’s because I trusted my game, I trusted my coaching team, who are always with me and pushing me. I’m so proud of today, thank you so much again, the noise and the atmosphere was amazing to play in.”
Katie Boulter vs Elena Rybakina – Match stats
| Stats | Katie Boulter | Elena Rybakina |
| Aces | 2 | 9 |
| Double faults | 9 | 6 |
| First Serve % | 62% | 58% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 71% | 72% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 49% | 69% |
| Break points | 2/7 | 2/13 |
Finally, the British star shared just how much it means to her to be playing and winning at Queen’s.
“For me, obviously I’ve watched the men play here many, many years; to get the opportunity as a woman to come back here was super special, so thank you for making that possible,” said Boulter.
“Obviously, my first semi-final here is a really special one, I’m wanting more, so I’m just going to keep pushing and get myself ready for tomorrow.”
Boulter defeated Jaqueline Cristian and Rybakina on the same day to secure her spot in the last four.
There, she will meet Vekic, a former Olympic silver medallist.
Boulter and Vekic have met once before, in San Diego two years ago, a match Boulter won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
She’ll be hoping to extend her winning record to 2-0 when they meet on Saturday, and so will the fans in attendance!
Annabel Croft makes bold claim about Katie Boulter’s level after watching her beat Elena Rybakina
During the BBC’s coverage of Queen’s, former British number one Annabel Croft said the following about Boulter as she was closing in on the win.
“I think she’s playing about as well as she’s ever played in her career,” she said.
The compliments continued after Boulter sealed victory.
“Honestly, that was the best performance I’ve ever seen from Katie Boulter,” said Croft.
“I’ve never seen her play at such an incredibly high level for a sustained period of time.
“She just took her game to her opponent, it wasn’t as if Rybakina was playing badly, Boulter was just rising and rising, and piling on the pressure, smacking forehands, and there wasn’t a lot that Rybakina could do.
“Fully deserved win, and I think she’s right, it’s lovely to hear her thanking the crowd, they had a big impact on the energy of the match and the way she performed out there tonight, it was fantastic.”
The fans were in fine voice all day, as they watched the home favourites Boulter and Emma Raducanu pick up big wins.
Before Boulter plays Vekic in the semi-finals on Saturday, Raducanu will take on Kamilla Rakhimova in the quarter-finals.
