Katie Boulter (Image: Getty)
Katie Boulter said she was inspired by her Aussie fiance and supporters after setting a new British record of six first round singles wins at the .
The British No.1 struggled with the pressure and Canadian world No.98 Rebecca Marino in a nervy nighttime encounter in the Kia Arena.
But when world No.8 Alex de Minaur arrived after his win during the third set, the No.22 raised her game to win 6-4 3-6 7-5 in three hours and 14 minutes.
“That was way too stressful for me,” said Boulter. “That was massively a mental challenge for me. Having him come out and support means pretty much everything to me. Having the extra positivity from my bench makes the difference. He is my support system. He kind of leads me.”
The Aussie No.1 beat Botic van de Zanschulp in straight sets in the Rod Laver Arena before crossing Melbourne Park to watch his future wife.
“I think I heard his mum’s voice from the crowd,” she said. “That was the first thing I heard before he came. I kind of felt comfortable that he had won and that I could fully relax.”
Boulter and De Minaur, who announced their engagement just before Christmas, are the Posh and Becks of tennis and the Leicester City fan now enjoys great support here.
“The Aussie crowds are pretty incredible,” said the No.22 seed. “From the moment I landed here in Australia, even in Sydney, I have felt the love and I can’t tell you how much it means to me. They picked me up loads. The shouting from the stands makes all the difference sometimes for me. This is the closest I have ever felt to home.
Boulter joins , Jacob Fearnley, , Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage in winning singles matches here.
“That’s so great to see,” said the British No.1. “It’s awesome to have some positivity coming out around British tennis.”
Boulter will next face world No.75 Veronika Kudermetova as she bids to get beyond the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.