Swan first Briton into second round but Boulter outFigure caption, Swan becomes first Briton to reach second round at WimbledonByEmily Salley, BBC Sport journalist at Wimbledon and Harry Poole, BBC Sport journalist at WimbledonPublished2 hours agoKatie Swan became the first British singles player to reach the second round at this year’s Wimbledon, but Katie Boulter fell to a disappointing defeat by a qualifier on day two.Ten Britons lost on the opening day of their home major – the most at SW19 since daily records began in 2000.
But Swan, who considered retiring from tennis in 2024 because of a persistent back injury, avoided the same fate in her first Grand Slam appearance for three years with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.
The 27-year-old threw herself to the ground as she celebrated the win – her first in the main draw of a major since she beat the same opponent at Wimbledon in 2018.
In an abysmal opening day for home hopes, 10 British players – including Cameron Norrie, the highest ranked Briton – quickly toppled out of the tournament.
There was further disappointment when Jack Draper revealed his withdrawal 24 hours before his opening match because of injury.
That followed Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal on the eve of the Championships with a stress fracture in her right leg.
But Swan offered a glimmer of hope for British interest with a clinical serving performance on Court 16 that saw her win 88% of first-serve points.
She did not face a single break point until she was serving for the match, when it seemed as though the pressure would take a toll.
But Swan held her nerve and eventually sealed a hard-fought win on her fifth match point.
Her reward is a second-round meeting with either 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys or American qualifier Kayla Day.
