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British wildcard Katie Boulter produced a big comeback on Thursday as she shocked sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 3-6 7-6 (4) 6-4 to progress into her first Wimbledon third round. After losing the first set, Boulter was twice up by a break in the second set but failed to hold on to her serve as Pliskova managed to force a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Boulter got off to a strong start as she took an early 4-0 lead, before converting her second set point to force a decider. The first break of the third set was seen in the ninth game, when Boulter broke Pliskova to take a 5-4 lead.
In the 10th game, Boulter was able to keep her nerves under the control and realize her first match point to clinch one of the biggest wins in her career. A week ago, Boulter upset Pliskova in Eastbourne and now she has proved that her win over the Czech in Eastbourne wasn't a fluke.
Boulter on stunning 2021 Wimbledon finalist Pliskova
"It's easy to say I believe I can win this match. But to have actually gone out and done it a week before, it does make the difference," Boulter told reporters after the match, per the WTA website.
"I think that's also why when I played an OK first set [and] she picked up her game a lot, I felt like I went through that last week. I just needed to stay with her and stay on serve especially in the second set. I did that again in Eastbourne.
I managed to get a chance. I feel like I got that chance again today." Next up for Boulter will be Harmony Tan, who upset Serena Williams in the first round. "I actually watched her match against Serena," Boulter said. "She makes it very difficult.
There's a reason she's beaten some really good players this week. I expect nothing less than her to go out there and enjoy herself when I play her. It's going to be a tough battle. But ultimately I'm just going to go out and enjoy myself and play some good tennis hopefully."