Boulter outplays Ostapenko to reach Eastbourne quarters

Katie Boulter's awesome shape connected writer continued successful nan lead up to Wimbledon arsenic she defeated Jelena Ostapenko to scope nan quarter-finals astatine Eastbourne.

The British number 1 claimed a assured 6-4 7-5 triumph against erstwhile French Open champion Ostapenko.

Boulter is attempting to triumph a 2nd grass-court title this period aft triumphing successful Nottingham.

"It's decidedly taken a batch of nan unit disconnected me," Boulter said.

"I wasn't judge what to expect coming into this grass-court season, I'm retired present having nosy and enjoying myself."

Boulter will beryllium seeded for nan first clip astatine Wimbledon this year, meaning she can't look a subordinate classed successful nan apical 32 until nan 3rd round.

But nan 27-year-old showed she tin compete pinch nan apical players, outplaying 1 of nan biggest hitters connected nan WTA Tour.

"Honestly, I was conscionable trying to slap a small harder than she was," Boulter said.

"She's truthful reliable to play against, you ne'er cognize what is going to hap and it's wholly successful her control."

Britain's Emma Raducanu continues her Wimbledon preparations against American 2nd seed Jessica Pegula later connected Wednesday.

Earlier, defending champion Madison Keys booked her spot successful nan quarter-finals pinch a 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 triumph complete Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina.

Karolina Muchova completed her first afloat lucifer since September pinch a 6-4 6-1 triumph against Poland's Magda Linette.

And successful an all-British matter connected tribunal two, Billy Harris fought backmost from a group down to hit fortunate loser Charles Broom 3-6 6-2 6-2.

Under a scorching sun connected centre court, Ostapenko's first-set work games were riddled pinch double faults and foot-faults, while she besides struggled pinch her shot toss.

Boulter took advantage to gain a 5-1 lead, but nan world number 32 faltered erstwhile serving for nan group and had to hold patiently for her adjacent work crippled to clinch nan opener connected her seventh group point.

After exchanging breaks successful nan early stages of nan 2nd set, Ostapenko started to heap unit connected Boulter, but nan Briton absorbed her opponent's large hitting and struck a decisive rustle astatine 5-5.

And, brimming pinch confidence, Boulter slammed down an unreturnable first service to seal her last-eight spot.

She will play French Open runner up and 3rd seed Jasmine Paolini aliases Elise Mertens of Belgium successful nan past eight.