Katie Boulter continues 2026 revival with opening round win at Miami Open

Katie Boulter’s time in the United States might not have gone to plan, but she claimed a solid 7-6 (11-9), 6-4 victory against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the opening round of the Miami Open.

Having enjoyed an impressive start to the year, which included winning a fourth career title at the Ostrava Open, Boulter was unable to reach the main draw of Indian Wells after not making it through qualifying.

But in Miami, she fought hard from the outset, especially when saving four set points in a row in the tie break.

What a performance from Katie Boulter as she wins in straight sets in Miami! 💥 pic.twitter.com/dAXVOymWAH

— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) March 17, 2026

Last year was an inconsistent one for Boulter, who started 2025 inside the world’s top 25, but by the end of the year had slipped to 100th.

After the aforementioned difficult campaign, Boulter split with her previously long-term coach Biljana Veselinovic and hired Maria Sharapova’s former coach Michael Joyce and seems to have worked in her favour. After only reaching the Australian Open because of withdrawals, Boulter has fought her way from world No 120 to number 67 by the start of the Miami Open.

This year, she has earned more ranking points than compatriots Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal, who are ranked higher than her. With both of them withdrawing from Miami, she will want to close the gap.

The first set of the contest itself ebbed and flowed more than a river. Both players broke each other with ease to force a tie break. Despite Bouzas Maneiro carving out a 6-2 advantage, Boulter fought her way back into the contest to level at 6-6, before eventually taking it 11-9 with a huge yell of celebration.

What a tie-break 🤯

Katie Boulter takes an incredible first set of tennis in Miami! pic.twitter.com/HxduyKjZ32

— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) March 17, 2026

The second set was a far more typical contest, with an exchange of breaks, before Boulter took a 5-4 lead and she served out for the win.

In the swirling wind and cold conditions, Boulter had to work to stay warm, wrapping herself up with towels during the changeovers and bouncing up and down between points to keep the blood moving; in fact, it was the first thing she noted in her post-match interview.

At times last year, Boulter struggled with her serve, but she only made three double faults in the match, compared to 10 from Bouzas Maneiro. Boulter also created more chances, carving out nine break points while saving three of her own.

She will take on the 17th seed, Clara Tauson, in the second round on Thursday.

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GAME, SET, MATCH: Boulter* 7-6(11-9), 6-4 Bouzas Maneiro

Boulter takes the crucial first point. 15-0, but then can only find the net in the next exchange. 15-15.

Although she follows it up with an ace with intent, but Bouzas Maneiro is keeping pace with her opponent. 30-30.

Boulter double faults and Bouzas Maneiro has a chance to break and get back into this contest, but she saves it with a strong serve and forehand to follow. Deuce

Boulter claims advantage and match point, but she finds the tramlines. Deuce.

Another serve out wide and forehand to the far side of the court and Boulter has a second match point, and takes it!

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Boulter 7-6(11-9), 5-4 Bouzas Maneiro*

Boulter sends Bouzas Maneiro sprinting to both sides of the court and she can’t keep up with the ball, 0-30.

Bouzas Maneiro double faults and Boulter has three break points…and double faults.

Boulter will have the chance to serve out for the match.

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Boulter* 7-6(11-9), 4-4 Bouzas Maneiro

Boulter has done the hard work but now needs to hold to consolidate her advantage in this match, and wins the first point. And she wins another point coming to the net to go 30-0 ahead.

Boulter is one point away from holding after a perfectly placed backhand winner. 

Bouzas Maneiro pulls one back, and wins the next point. 40-30, but Boulter double faults and it goes to deuce.

Boulter goes for the line and the ball just drops out, Bouzas Maneiro has a chance to break back immediately…but Boulter saves it.

Bouzas Maneiro has another advantage and Boulter saves it again, before carving out another break point, and that one she takes!

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Boulter 7-6(11-9), 4-3 Bouzas Maneiro*

Bouzas Maneiro takes the first point on her serve, but sends a sliced backhand volley into the tramlines, 15-15.

Chance for Boulter now at 15-30, and on Bouzas Maneiro’s second serve, Boulter plays it safe and waits for the high ball to pounce to set up two break points.

Bouzas Maneiro saves the first, but then breaks!

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Boulter* 7-6 (11-9), 3-3 Bouzas Maneiro

Boulter sends Bouzas Maneiro the wrong way before firing a winner to the open side of the court, 15-0.

She follows it up with a strong serve out wide that Bouzas Maneiro does well to get a racket on but cannot do much more than that.

Boulter holds to love.

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Boulter 7-6 (11-9), 2-3 Bouzas Maneiro*

Bouzas Maneiro now eases to a 30-0 lead, before double faulting and giving Boulter a foothold in the game.

Foot fault is called by the automated system, but Bouzas Maneiro goes 40-15 ahead and holds.

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Boulter* 7-6 (11-9), 2-2 Bouzas Maneiro

The music has gone a touch old school on the court for the break between games, as The Who’s “who are you” fades into the background, it’s Boulter to serve.

Boulter eases to a 30-0 and then 40-0 lead with a serve that Bouzas Maneiro slices out.

Boulter holds to love. So far the second set has had no breaks compared to the plethora of the first.

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Boulter 7-6 (11-9), 1-2 Bouzas Maneiro*

Bouzas Maneiro goes 15-0 ahead when Boulter’s forehand goes into the net.

There have been a few long rallies this match and after a few shots Bouzas Maneiro can only watch as Boulter’s backhand winner goes past her.

Bouzas Maneiro holds to 15.

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Boulter* 7-6 (11-9), 1-1 Bouzas Maneiro

After exchanging points, Boulter delivers a wide ace to go 30-15 ahead, then another cleverly placed serve that Bouzas Maneiro slices into the net makes it 40-15.

Boulter holds to 15.

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Boulter 7-6 (11-9), 0-1 Bouzas Maneiro*

Bouzas Maneiro will serve at the start of the second set, she has to put all those missed set points behind her.

It looks like she has with a big serve and wide winner follow up to go 15-0 ahead, but then a double fault makes it 30-15.

Boulter is moving around a lot after wrapping the towels around herself, make no mistake it’s quite cold in Miami.

Bouzas Maneiro holds to 15.

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SET: Boulter 7-6 (11-9) Bouzas Maneiro

It’s Bouzas Maneiro’s turn to go for the line, and she misjudges it slightly. Boulter has the serve and the 10-9 lead.

And she takes it! There is a big yell from Boulter and that has been a really hard fought set.

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Tie break: Boulter (9-9) 6-6 Bouzas Maneiro

Boulter may come to regret all those chances she had to take the set, as Bouzas Maneiro takes a 3-0 lead in the tie break.

Boulter gets on the scoreboard in the tie break with a serve that Bouzas Maneiro can’t return, but then misses the volley she had expertly set up. 5-1.

It would take something very impressive for Boulter to get back into this tie break now, but she pulls it back to 5-2.

Boulter takes the risk and goes for the line, but narrowly misses and Bouzas Maneiro has four set points.

Bouzas Maneiro makes a mistake with the first, and Boulter wins next two. 6-5.

On her serve, Boulter capitalises on a net-cord ball that bounced favourably from Bouzas Maneiro and draws level!

But Bouzas Maneiro wins the next point on Boulter’s second serve and has another set point.

Boulter has come back into this contest time and again and draws level again 7-7, and then edges ahead.

It’s Boulter who has set point now…but it’s saved by a stunning winner down the line from Bouzas Maneiro. 8-8

Boulter hits the ball into the net and Bouzas Maneiro has another chance to take this, but she double faults. You couldn’t make up the ebbs and flows in this tie break alone

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Boulter 6-6 Bouzas Maneiro*

Bouzas Maneiro had been leading for large chunks of the opener, but is now serving to stay in the set.

Boulter takes the first point, 0-15, and a double fault means she has a chance to take this opening set.

For the first time, Boulter misses a volley and Bouzas Maneiro reduces the deficit. 15-30.

Bouzas Maneiro edges ahead, but a double fault takes the game to deuce.

Bouzas Maneiro blinks first with a ball that just hits the net and Boulter has set point…but cannot return the serve. Deuce.

Another opportunity for Boulter but she puts her hands up in apology, that hit the frame and just dropped in, but Bouzas Maneiro saves it. 

Boulter carves out another set point, and goes for the drop shot but it just drops on the net. Deuce. 

Bouzas Maneiro has the advantage this time, but Boulter hits a powerful winner that just kisses the line. Deuce.

Another chance and another net cord by Boulter, Bouzas Maneiro has advantage, and holds with an ace.

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Boulter* 6-5 Bouzas Maneiro

Boulter takes the first point of her service game with an ace, and goes 30-0 up after Bouzas Maneiro cannot return a serve.

Boulter takes a 40-15 lead, but the wind has started to affect her ball toss, but she closes out the game and takes the lead for the first time in the match.

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Boulter 5-5 Bouzas Maneiro*

Bouzas Maneiro has a chance to serve out for the opening set, but Boulter takes the first point 0-15.

I said it had got colder, Boulter has just put a long-sleeve layer over her T-shirt, and goes 0-30 ahead before over-hitting the ball.

With a forehand into the net from the Briton, it’s 30-30. The rain has just started to fall, although not heavily.

After a volley exchange that delights the crowd, Boulter has break point with a clever backhand slice.

Boulter breaks back with a ball that just bounced into the net cord and drops into Bouzas Maneiro’s half of the court.

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Boulter* 4-5 Bouzas Maneiro

The wind has picked up a touch on this very open court beside the towering Hard Rock Stadium and jumpers from the fans have just been pulled a little tighter.

Boulter continues to move between points, but finds herself 0-15 behind, and then a backhand into the middle of the net, gives Bouzas Maneiro a 0-30 lead.

She pulls one back with a big serve that Bouzas Maneiro hits into the net, but then goes 15-40 behind.

Bouzas Maneiro breaks back immediately with another backhand into the net from Boulter.

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Boulter 4-4 Bouzas Maneiro*

Boulter starts on the attack and drives a forehand winner to take a 0-15 lead.

But the next serve is fizzed at her and she can only parry the ball loopily wide, then misses the line going for another big shot. 30-15.

Boulter has break point and a chance to draw level after Bouzas Maneiro hits into the net…and she takes it!

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Boulter* 3-4 Bouzas Maneiro

It might not always have been her strength, but Boulter has been good coming to the net so far today and takes the lead in her service game with a volley.

After going 30-0 ahead, Boulter double faults, giving Bouzas Maneiro a way back into the game.

Boulter holds to 15, and keeps the deficit to just a single break.

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Boulter 2-4 Bouzas Maneiro*

Boulter pounces on a serve that’s a tad shot to send a winner down the line, but Bouzas Maneiro wins the next three points.

Boulter then makes another mistake, hitting the ball into the net and Bouzas Maneiro has a healthy advantage already in the opener.

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Boulter* 2-3 Bouzas Maneiro

After another lengthy rally, it’s Boulter who blinks first and goes 0-15 behind, but then follows it up with an ace and a small shout of “come on”.

Boulter has stepped up her game in this set, as has Bouzas Maneiro, but it’s the Briton who leads 40-30.

But she makes an unforced error and the game goes to deuce. With an astonishing cross-court winner, Bouzas Maneiro has break point, and takes it!

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Boulter 2-2 Bouzas Maneiro*

After going on the attack herself, Bouzas Maneiro has taken a leaf out of Boulter’s book and is going hard with the serve and following it up well. 

But just as I say that she double faults. 15-15.

Just as Bouzas Maneiro finds herself behind at 15-30, she produces an ace to level.

Bouzas Maneiro goes for the line and misses, Boulter has break point…and takes it!

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Boulter* 1-2 Bouzas Maneiro (* denotes server)

There might not be many fans on the court, but Boulter definitely has more support than her opponent. After a cry of “go on Katie” she delivers a serve and follow up winner to take the lead, 15-0.

Another serve and volley and Boulter looks like she is getting more comfortable, but she tries it again and doesn’t quite get it right, 30-15.

After a serve that Bouzas Maneiro can’t return, Boulter is on the scoresheet.

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Boulter 0-2 Bouzas Maneiro* (* denotes server)

It’s been overall a quiet day at the Miami Open. For most of the top players it is media day with a practice session, but the fans have started to mill in and enjoy the food courts scattered around the Hard Rock Stadium.

Bouzas Maneiro makes the first mistake of her first service game and it’s 0-15, the next point is also much better from Boulter, she pounces on a second serve and hits a powerful backhand winner.

Unlike Boulter though, Bouzas Maneiro has pulled it back from 0-30 to 30-30. After a quick exchange of points, the game goes to deuce. 

But Bouzas Maneiro closes it out.

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Boulter* 0-1 Bouzas Maneiro

Boulter starts off the match by serving, but after a lengthy baseline rally, she makes the first mistake and hits long. 

Bouzas Maneiro then wins the next point and Boulter is immediately on the back foot, but she pulls a point back to make it 15-30 after Bouzas Maneiro overhits the ball.

This is not the start Boulter would have wanted and she finds herself in a position of trying to save two break points, and she hits the ball into the net. Bouzas Maneiro breaks at the start of this match.

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Boulter out on court

Katie Boulter has been made to wait today to get her time on court.

The match before lasted three hours and there was at least one rain break.

Today Miami has not been living up to its “Sunshine Double” billing with grey clouds, showers and a relatively cool temperature.

But the players are out on the court and warming up

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Katie Boulter starts Miami Open campaign

Katie Boulter might have had to wait later than most to play in a first round of the “Sunshine Double” this year, but she starts in Miami against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Last year was an inconsistent one for Boulter, who started 2025 inside the world’s top 25, but by the end of the year had slipped to 100th.

After a difficult year, Boulter split with her previously long-term coach Biljana Veselinovic and hired Maria Sharapova’s former coach Michael Joyce, and it seems to have worked.

After only reaching the Australian Open main draw because others withdrew, Boulter has fought her way from 120th to world number 67 by the start of the Miami Open.

This year she has earned more ranking points than the two British women, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal, who are ranked higher than her and with both of them having withdrawn from Miami, will want to close the gap.

The impressive start to the year, which included winning her fourth career title at the Ostrava Open and reaching the Mexico Open quarter-finals, took a step back in Indian Wells where she came into qualifying seeded first but then lost to Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva in three sets.