"So are you" - Emma Raducanu gushes over 'beautiful' Katie Boulter as fellow Brit celebrates reaching Eastbourne QF
Emma Raducanu has gushed over compatriot Katie Boulter celebrating the latter's win over Jelena Ostapenko in the second round of the ongoing Rothesay International in Eastbourne. Boulter is set to play the 2024 French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini next in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event.
Boulter, who replaced Raducanu to become the British No. 1 last year, adopted an aggressive style of play against the hard-hitting Ostapenko in their encounter that took place on Wednesday, June 26. The approach paid dividends, as the Brit opened up a 5-1 lead in the first set. Although Ostapenko mounted an impressive comeback, Boulter ultimately prevailed, taking the set 6-4.
The second set though, seemed to be going in Ostapenko's favor as Boulter found herself a break down. However, the Latvian's unforced errors eventually caught up with her, and Boulter served out the set to win it 7-5 and seal her spot in the quarterfinals.
The Brit later took to Instagram to celebrate her win, sharing a post featuring four images. The first image featured Boulter posing on the balcony of her hotel room. Behind Boulter was a picturesque view of the serene Eastbourne Beach. The next three images captured the World No. 32 in action against Ostapenko at the Rothesay International. Boulter captioned the post:
"Eastbourne you are beautiful. QFs tomorrow"
Raducanu, who herself made it to the quarterfinals after winning a three-set thriller against Jessica Pegula, commented on her compatriot's post, writing:
"So r uuuu"
2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu is slated to square off against Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals.
Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu headed for collision course in Eastbourne
Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu, provided they both win their respective quarterfinals, will face each other in the Rothesay International semifinals. The British pair have clashed on two occasions in the past, with both of those matches having gone Boulter's way.
Their most recent meeting came in the semifinals of the Nottingham Open earlier this month on Saturday, June 15. Raducanu clinched a mostly even first set after winning a marathon tiebreak 7-6(13). However, it was all Boulter in the second and third sets (6-3, 6-4), as she progressed to the final hoping to successfully defend her title.
Boulter came back from a set down in the final as well, as she came out on top against former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova. It marked the Brit's third singles title on the WTA Tour. Raducanu had congratulated Boulter for the accomplishment later.