Katie Boulter’s journey from singles frustration to doubles triumph has propelled Great Britain into the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup.
In a thrilling group stage match against the Netherlands, the outcome hinged on the final tie.
Sonay Kartal kicked things off with a solid win, but Boulter’s defeat in the second singles match put the pressure on.
Captain Anne Keothavong didn’t hesitate to send her No. 1 player straight back in for the deciding doubles match, and Boulter, alongside close friend Jodie Burrage, delivered an unstoppable performance.
They defeated the Dutch duo of Suzan Lamens and Demi Schuurs in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
The Power of Team Spirit
“It was the energy,” said Burrage when asked about the key to their victory.
“The energy from this team, from the crowd, from my partner, from my captain.”
The emotional weight of the moment was clear as the pair celebrated their success, joking about a post-match “party” and a few drinks.
This victory not only secured their spot in the finals but also highlighted the team’s depth and spirit, proving their resilience in the face of challenges.
A Historic Return to the Finals
With this win, Great Britain is now one of the eight nations that will compete in the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenzhen this September.
After nearly two decades of absence from the competition’s final stages, this marks Britain’s third appearance in just four years.
The team’s journey to this point has been impressive, particularly after the recent withdrawal of Emma Raducanu, who cited the need for rest after a busy season start.
However, the team’s depth and performance in Raducanu’s absence proved their strength.
Captain Keothavong’s Bold Decisions
Keothavong, the team’s captain, had to make some tough decisions throughout the week.
“Women’s tennis in Britain has come a long way,” she reflected.
“The flipside of that is a lot of sleepless nights and headaches for me in trying to make a decision.”
One of her key moves was choosing to pair Boulter with Burrage for the doubles, replacing the previously planned duo of Harriet Dart and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls.
This decision paid off in a big way.
Kartal’s Strong Start
The day began on a positive note for Team GB, with Sonay Kartal winning her match 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 against Eva Vedder.
Kartal, who’s making her Billie Jean King Cup debut, has been a standout performer, securing two wins from two matches in Raducanu’s absence.
Boulter’s Challenging Singles Match
Boulter’s singles match didn’t go as planned.
She struggled on the clay and lost to world No. 70, Suzan Lemens, 6-4, 6-3.
As the deciding doubles match approached, hopes for GB were mixed, especially since they hadn’t won a live doubles rubber in this competition since 2022.
However, Boulter showed incredible resilience by bouncing back and delivering what was arguably the best doubles performance of her career.
Burrage’s Redemption
Burrage, too, had something to prove.
Her previous Billie Jean King Cup match was a painful loss to Sweden’s No. 372 Kajsa Rinaldo Persson in 2023.
This time, she stepped up, playing an essential role in the victory.
The Brits were underdogs, facing a Dutch pair that had home support and a win under their belts from earlier in the week.
But Boulter and Burrage played with confidence, taking the match 6-2, 6-2.
Schuurs and Lamens: No Match for the Brits
The Dutch duo posed a challenge, especially with Schuurs’ impressive doubles pedigree, having reached No. 7 in the world.
Her skill at the net was evident, but her serve lacked power, and Boulter and Burrage made sure to exploit it.
They relentlessly attacked Schuurs when she charged the net, with one of Burrage’s powerful smashes even hitting the Dutch player squarely on the left buttock.
“We went out there and we swung, that’s what we wanted to do,” said Burrage, reflecting the team’s aggressive approach.
A Key Coaching Influence
A major factor in their performance was the presence of Louis Cayer, an LTA coach renowned for his expertise in doubles.
His influence has been transformative for British men’s doubles, and it seems his impact on the women’s game is set to grow as well.
This coaching support was undoubtedly a factor in the team’s success.
Looking Ahead with High Hopes
As the team heads to Shenzhen this autumn, they will do so with confidence and high expectations.
With Raducanu set to return, and a team led with quiet confidence by Keothavong, the future looks bright for this talented group of players.
The stage is set for an exciting finals, and Great Britain’s young women’s team is ready to take it on.