Katie Boulter's Australian Open campaign came to an end in the first round, but not before the British player delivered a gutsy second-set performance against the formidable tenth seed, Belinda Bencic. The final scoreline of 6-0, 7-5 in favour of the Swiss former Olympic champion belied a contest that grew in competitiveness after a brutally one-sided start.
An Uphill Battle Against In-Form Opposition
Boulter was handed a notoriously tough opening assignment against Belinda Bencic, who arrived in Melbourne riding a wave of confidence. Bencic had stormed back into the world's top ten ahead of the tournament, having begun her season with five consecutive victories. That impressive run included notable wins over world number one Iga Swiatek and French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini.
For Boulter, the match represented a significant challenge following a difficult 2025 which saw her ranking fall outside the top 100. She only secured her place in the main draw thanks to late withdrawals, avoiding the qualifying rounds. In preparation for the new season, the 29-year-old made a strategic coaching change, hiring Michael Joyce, the former long-time coach of Maria Sharapova.
Adopted by the Aussie Crowd
Despite being the opponent, Boulter received vociferous support from the local crowd on Margaret Court Arena. Engaged to Australian men's star and home hope Alex de Minaur, who watched intently from the player's box, Boulter was embraced as an honorary local. Chants of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" rang out as she battled in the second set, a testament to her popularity and fighting spirit.
Prior to the match, Boulter had openly downplayed expectations. "I'm just going to go out and swing," she stated. "I really don't think there's any pressure. I don't think there's anyone in this room that thinks I'm going to win that match."
A Match of Two Halves
The opening set unfolded as many predicted, with Bencic's relentless precision overwhelming Boulter. The Swiss star secured a 'bagel' set 6-0 in just 26 minutes, leaving the British player with a mountain to climb.
However, the complexion of the match changed dramatically in the second set. Boulter held her serve in the opening game, a small but significant psychological victory. After being broken again, she demonstrated remarkable resilience to break Bencic's serve for the first time, levelling the set at 4-4 and igniting the crowd.
The comeback was ultimately halted by Bencic's experience and quality. The tenth seed secured a crucial late break and served out the match to claim a 6-0, 7-5 victory, advancing to the second round while ending Boulter's Melbourne journey.
While the result was a defeat, Boulter's determined response after a dismal first set will provide a positive foundation for her 2026 season under new guidance. For Bencic, the win reinforces her status as a serious contender for the title, continuing the formidable form she displayed at the United Cup.
