Swan saves Britain’s Wimbledon blushes after Boulter joins first-round exits

Swan saves Britain’s Wimbledon blushes after Boulter joins first-round exits Last updated 30 June 2026 1:46pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Katie Swan is through to the second round for the first time since 2018 Credit: Mike Egerton/PA Uche Amako live updates. James Corrigan. Sonia Twigg at Wimbledon Last updated 30 June 2026 1:46pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email As Katie Boulter crashed out of Wimbledon after being blown away by an 18-year-old, Katie Swan moments later became the first Briton into the second round after a gutsy win over Irina-Camelia Begu. Boulter, the world No 60, was the overwhelming favourite against the Italian Tyra Caterina Grant. But the qualifier ranked 172 in the world, produced an impressive display to stun Boulter and chuck another big name onto the bonfire of the Brits. As the match went on, it became increasingly clear why the Italians are so excited by her potential. Even so, Boulter beat world No 2 Elena Rybakina a few weeks ago on her path to the semi-finals at Queen’s and the bookies had her as the overwhelming favourite. Boulter was well below her level against Grant Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Moments after Boulter’s defeat in 66 minutes, loud cheers greeted Swan’s victory over Begu as she stopped the rot on Court 16.  Swan, who is playing at Wimbledon for the seventh time, finally made her country proud when, after a three-year absence, she advanced past the first round for just the second time in her career. There were emotional scenes when she dispatched the 35-year-old Romanian 6-4, 6-4, two years ago after being outside the world’s top 1000 and contemplating retirement because of a debilitating back condition. But she worked her way into the top 200 and that perseverance paid off as she made the most of her wild card entry to ensure herself at least a £126,000 payday. Remarkably, when Swan last cleared the first hurdle – eight years ago, it was against the same opponent. More to follow... Latest updates Uche Amako live updates. James Corrigan. Sonia Twigg at Wimbledon 1:29PM Any chance of another British winner? Link copied to clipboard We currently have two British men in action and both are currently losing. Wild card Harry Wendelken won the first set against Valentin Royer but is down 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Court 14. Jacob Fearnley, another wild card, lost the first set 6-3 to Alex Michelsen and is a break down in the second. 1:09PM Former British number one Jo Durie on Swan Link copied to clipboard “I’m so happy for Katie because she’s really been through it, through her whole career she’s had injuries and you can really see now how good a player she is. “She uses grass court tennis so well and I love the way she moves – she was attacking and keeping everything under control. Very well played Katie Swan.” 12:41PM Get to know Katie Swan Link copied to clipboard Katie Swan’s rise up the world tennis rankings over the last two years has been nothing short of exceptional. In 2023, she was contesting for the position of British No 1 with Katie Boulter and ranked just outside the top 100. A year later, plagued with back spasms, she considered early retirement before meeting a specialist who gave her another chance at professional tennis. Swan then rebuilt her ranking from the ground up, rising from No 1,114 in May 2025 to inside the world’s top 300 today. 12:33PM Swan ends the drought Link copied to clipboard We have a winner. Finally, Great Britain has a first round winner and that honour goes to Katie Swan, who has just beaten Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 6-4 out on Court 16! Katie Swan is through to the second round Credit: Mike Egerton/PA 12:15PM Boulter crashes out Link copied to clipboard Warm applause for Boulter as she trudges off the court and out of Wimbledon. I will give you some of the numbers soon but that was frankly not good enough from the British No 2. 12:13PM Boulter 4-6, 2-6 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Must win game for Boulter and she starts with a forehand return long. Sixth double fault from Grant makes it 15-30. A glimmer of hope for Boulter perhaps? Smart angled forehand by Grant and Boulter’s reply goes long, 30-30. Ace No 7 for Grant gives her a match point... Boulter tamely slices a backhand into the net and it is all over. GAME SET MATCH GRANT! 12:09PM Boulter* 4-6, 2-5 Grant Link copied to clipboard Big red warning lights now as Boulter slips to 0-30. Short slice by Grant drags Boulter to the net and the Briton flicks a forehand long. Three break points. Boulter finds the sideline with a forehand winner to keep herself alive. Then another forehand winner flies past Grant. Two down, one to go. Boulter opts to go a drive forehand but doesn’t do enough and Grant anticipates it. The Italian fires a backhand down the line and Boulter can’t get her volley over the net. Grant breaks again and will serve for the match. 12:05PM Boulter 4-6, 2-4 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Boulter has no answer to Grant’s excellence. The Italian is crushing the ball from the baseline and Boulter cannot do a thing to stop it. No slices, no use of the angles and no tactical adjustment to what is happening. 12:03PM Boulter* 4-6, 2-3 Grant Link copied to clipboard The crowd are once again trying to lift Boulter but her level is not inspiring much belief. This is so far off the performance we saw against Elena Rybakina at Queen’s Club. Boulter manages to keep herself in touch but time is running out and Grant is showing no nerves. Boulter is trying to remain positive but she is clearly frustrated and might even be a little shocked about the quality of the 18-year-old debutant. After winning the first set, Grant has the break in the second and at 3-2 this could be over quickly. Patriots starting to leave Court 3 in the frantic hunt for a British winner.  11:58AM Boulter 4-6, 1-3 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Grant’s irresistible march towards the second round continues as she holds easily again. Story of this match will be Boulter’s bad day on the return but Grant has been very composed throughout. 11:54AM Boulter* 4-6, 1-2 Grant Link copied to clipboard Seventh double fault from Boulter gives Grant a break point at 30-40. You could almost see it coming. No confidence in the ball toss and it is not even windy. Boulter then strikes a nervy forehand into the tramlines and Grant breaks. Dear oh dear... Grant has shown few nerves against Boulter Credit: Adam Davy/PA 11:51AM Boulter 4-6, 1-1 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Boulter will not get close to breaking Grant if she can’t get returns into play. Far too many wild and inaccurate shots on the forehand and backhand side costing her dearly and allowing Grant to go through service games untroubled. That area of Boulter’s game needs to improve fast. 11:48AM Second Set: Boulter* 4-6, 1-0 Grant Link copied to clipboard That is a good question posed by my colleague James in the previous post. This is a match Boulter had to get through and she failing at the moment.  First extended rally of the match goes Grant’s way after Boulter nets a forehand and the game moves to deuce. These are tense moments for the Briton but she comes through it, hitting her fourth forehand winner of the match. 11:42AM Who will stand up for British tennis? Link copied to clipboard Well, that was dispiriting for the British contingent who arrived on Court 3 expectant of seeing the first home victory of the championship. A rather pathetic chant of ‘let’s go Katie’ lasted about five seconds and that summed it up as 18-year-old qualifier Grant took the opening set 6-4.  The Italian is clearly some talent, but Boulter was the odds-on 1-3 favourite to prevail and is second best at the moment. She showed signs of improvement towards the end of the set, but the mood here among the home support is decidedly and understandably flat. Who will stand up for British tennis? 11:40AM Boulter 4-6 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Knowing the scoreline, the fans on Court 3 try to lift Boulter as she walks to the baseline to receive serve. Boulter kicks the ball away in frustration after sending a backhand long, 0-30.  Sign of tension for Grant perhaps as she sends a second serve well long, 15-30. Credit to the Italian, responding to the double fault with a big serve down the T to earn two break points. Another return error from Boulter and Grant takes the set in 32 minutes. 11:36AM Boulter* 4-5 Grant Link copied to clipboard Cross court forehand winner and an ace for Boulter to start the game well. Back-to-back return errors from Grant and Boulter claims her first love hold of the match. Now she needs to break Grant for the first time if she wants to prolong this set... 11:33AM Boulter 3-5 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Grant moves ahead of Boulter in the ace count with four to go 40-15 ahead. But a fourth double fault gives Boulter some encouragement.  But that is soon snuffed out when Boulter shanks a backhand high and long to concede the game. Boulter hits a backhand to Grant Credit: Adam Davy/PA 11:30AM Boulter* 3-4 Grant Link copied to clipboard World class backhand down the line from Grant is a real statement from the 18-year-old. A much-needed ace from Boulter secures the service hold but she doesn’t look comfortable yet. Is what happened yesterday to her fellow Britons having an impact? 11:28AM Boulter 2-4 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Grant’s unflappable start to the match continues. Boulter gets to 15-30 but that is as close as she gets to breaking as Grant holds again. Not enough returns in play for Boulter. Just two points won on Grant’s first serve and three on the second serve. 11:24AM Boulter* 2-3 Grant Link copied to clipboard Abundantly clear that Boulter has decided to get more vocal and show more positive body language. Every point won comes with a ‘come on’ and when she wins the game with a hold to 15, she says ‘let’s go’ loudly. Let’s see if there is an improvement going forward. 11:21AM Boulter 1-3 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Grant consolidates the break with a service hold to 15 with very little trouble. Time for Boulter to be a little bit concerned at the direction this match is heading in. 11:20AM A collective gasp reverberates around Court 3 Link copied to clipboard This is Tyra Caterina Grant’s debut in a major, but the 18-year-old is showing few nerves as she moves 2-1 ahead in the first set after breaking Boulder to love in the third game. A collective gasp reverberates around Court 3. What is Deja vu in English? 11:16AM Boulter* 1-2 Grant Link copied to clipboard Boulter in big trouble as she falls to 0-40. A third double fault of the match, her second in the game, and Grant breaks without having to work for it. An absolute gift for the Italian. 11:14AM Boulter 1-1 Grant* Link copied to clipboard Back-to-back double faults from Grant put her in trouble at 15-30 but she responds with her first ace of the match. Then she does well to pick up a short return from Boulter and place a forehand down the line for a winner, 40-30. The game ends after Boulter flicks a backhand long. Clear to me, at least, that it was long but Boulter and the spectators aren’t sure and the umpire does not immediately call it. Replays soon show the ball was out. 11:09AM First set: Katie Boulter* 1-0 Tyra Grant (*denotes server) Link copied to clipboard Boulter and Grant have never met before, so the first few games will be exploratory as they get to know each other. Nice start from Boulter as two aces move her to 40-15 and she holds when Grant nets a backhand return. 11:03AM Here we go! Link copied to clipboard Great ovation here on Court 3 as Katie Boulter arrives to try to win Britain’s first match at this Wimbledon. ‘Do it for Britain,’ yells someone close by but there is also a few ‘forza, Italia’ for her opponent Tyra Caterina Grant. Dare we say after Monday’s massacre that Boulter should at least pause the home bloodshed? She is 1-3 with the bookies.  10:57AM Wimbledon wipeout reveals simple truth: We’re not very good at tennis Link copied to clipboard Anyone for football? On a day when England’s cricketers collapsed to series defeat against New Zealand, the British contingent at Wimbledon managed to undercut them with the worst day-one performance of the Open era. Admittedly, the omens have been grislier than sheep’s entrails for some time. As host nation, you never want to be coming into a major with Jan Choinski – the world No 100 – as the British No 2. But the storm still broke with crushing force. Ten defeats from as many matches, plus a pair of “lucky losers” from qualifying drafted in to take the places of injury-ravaged Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu. If only our players could hit drop shots with the same disguise those two displayed, as they strolled into the interview room and blithely told us that they were fit to play. Total Britwash. An imperfect 10. More of this on Tuesday, and the last night of the Poms could arrive as early as day two. Click here to read more. 10:39AM Day two at Wimbledon Link copied to clipboard Hello and welcome to coverage from day two of Wimbledon where Katie Boulter represents Great Britain’s best chance of a presence in the second week after a dismal opening day. Ten Britons were beaten on Monday, which is one of the worst set of results in recent history.  It could have been even worse but Jack Pinnington Jones was spared by bad light against Brandon Nakashima at two sets down and will have to finish his opener on Tuesday. The tally of losses is the worst for the home nation since daily records began in 2000, while there is a possibility the record of 16 first-round defeats could be exceeded when the remaining players take to the court today. Fran Jones, who became the final faller when she lost 6-4, 6-4 to France’s Diane Parry, said: “It will create bad headlines, probably slightly unfairly. I think, with some of the draws that people are handed, it was always going to be difficult. “But no one can hide from the heaviness of Wimbledon. It’s important to everyone, and I’m sure it played a factor being at the home slam.” The Lawn Tennis Association can justifiably point to the fact that the draws were particularly unkind this year, with only Cameron Norrie facing a player ranked lower than him. The British No 1’s defeat by American Michael Zheng was undoubtedly the most disappointing of the day, although the qualifier played a terrific match to win in a fifth-set tie-break. It was a sixth defeat in a row for last year’s quarter-finalist Norrie, who said: “If I could have had a few more matches leading in, I think I can win this match. There were so many small moments in the match that he did really well to go on his side.” Harriet Dart was close to pulling off a sizeable upset against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, eventually losing out 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Qualifier Oliver Tarvet, who lost in the second round to Carlos Alcaraz last year, also played at a high level in a four-hour battle against 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech but was unable to force a deciding set. Britain’s teenage trio of Mimi Xu, Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic were also among the losers after being handed very difficult draws. Xu won her first senior set at Wimbledon against former quarter-finalist Daria Kasatkina but fell to a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 defeat while Stojsavljevic was quickly beaten 6-2, 6-1 by last year’s semi-finalist Belinda Bencic. Klugman, 17, took on 2024 champion Barbora Krejcikova and was left feeling encouraged after a close second set in a 6-1, 6-4 loss. “I feel so motivated because it was 4-4, I had points to go 5-5,” said Klugman. “In the first set I think I had a break point in most of her service games. So it’s close.” Elsewhere, wild card Felix Gill was beaten by rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar while fellow debutants Alicia Dudeney and Max Basing also lost.