Katie Boulter departed Centre Court late on Saturday night having been subjected to a level of discomfort that many others have been forced to endure during the past year of Elena Rybakina’s emergence.
The pressure that Rybakina placed on Boulter throughout her 57 minutes on court was immense. Her serve was vicious, precise and unimpeachable. The ball cannoned from her strings as she laid into forehands and backhands. Even at the end, when it seemed clear there would be no way back, Rybakina did not let off, breaking serve at the close. She left with a statement victory as her title defence picks up steam.
