Katie Boulter picked up a win in Great Britain’s opening match of the 2025 United Cup, defeating Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-3 to notch a 1-0 lead in the country’s Group F tie in Sydney on Monday.
In Ken Rosewall Arena, World No. 24 Boulter took one hour and 26 minutes to take down 100th-ranked Podoroska in their first career meeting. British No. 1 Boulter is fresh off her first Top 50 season, having won two WTA titles in 2024.
“Obviously never easy to come out first match of the year, especially against someone who’s going to make so many balls and make you work so hard,” Boulter said. “She’d already played a match, so I knew I was going to have to get sharp really quickly, and I’m glad I got through the line today and played some really good stuff as well.”
Boulter slammed nine forehand winners and converted three of her nine break points in Monday’s opening set, which ended on a Podoroska double fault.
Podoroska, the 2020 Roland Garros semi-finalist, tried to regroup in the second set, but Boulter battled through a 12-minute hold for 3-0 and eased home from there.
Billy Harris will try to close out the tie in the Britons’ favour when he faces Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the men’s singles. If Etcheverry takes the win, the tie will be decided by a mixed doubles clash.
Along with Great Britain and Argentina, Australia is the other team in Group F. The home side is led by Top 10 player Alex de Minaur, Boulter’s fiance.
