Laura Robson feels the “sky is the limit” for Katie Boulter following her stunning win in San Diego.
Boulter claimed the first WTA 500 title of her career overnight by beating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 5-7 6-2 6-2 to cap an impressive start to 2024.
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The 27-year-old beat five top-50 players to lift the trophy and move into the top 30, and claim a seeding for the upcoming event in Indian Wells.
Robson told Sky Sports: “She’s cracked the top 30 this week and I feel like the sky’s the limit really because it’s been slow and steady progress. It doesn’t feel like top 20 is out of the question.
“She doesn’t have a lot to defend until around the grass season in the summer so she’ll be thinking ‘what tournaments can I play by creating a smart schedule for myself to pick up some good wins?’.
“She’s got a couple of days off before the first round in Indian Wells so she will be physically really fresh and she doesn’t have anything to defend, so she’s probably thinking top 20 already.
“Last year she was playing Australian Open qualifying and trying to get back inside the top 100, which felt a long way off, but suddenly we’re already there.”
Superb in San Diego 😤@katiecboulter outlasts Kostyuk in three to claim the title!#SanDiegoOpen pic.twitter.com/aE1M7oBgHn
— wta (@WTA) March 4, 2024
Boulter’s triumph continues her upward trajectory and Robson believes she has carefully plotted her way to this point.
“It’s been slow and steady progress which I think has been the biggest change because it doesn’t feel overwhelming in the moment when you have these big wins,” she added.
“She started the year really well by beating Jessica Pegula in one of her first matches. You’re thinking ‘wow’ she’s really hitting it big but she’s been playing really consistent tennis and she’s really improved her movement so much.
“I think a lot of people kind of didn’t expect her to miss the Middle Eastern swing in Doha and Dubai because she knew she wanted quite a big training block going into these American tournaments and what a difference it’s made!
“Physically, she’s looking stronger than ever, so for me not a surprise at all actually.”
Boulter’s win capped a wonderful weekend for her and Alex De Minaur, who earlier retained the Acapulco Open before flying north to watch his girlfriend in California.
