Bouzas Goes All Out at the US Open

Jessica Bouzas is determined to prove that what happened at Wimbledon two months ago was no fluke and that Grand Slams are her domain. In what is her debut at the US Open, the player from Pontevedra has already reached the third round after defeating Britain's Katie Boulter 7-5, 7-5.

Bouzas, who won two matches at Wimbledon, including a victory against the reigning champion Marketa Vondrousova in the final, is having a brilliant North American tour. She passed the qualifying rounds in Cincinnati and Cleveland and also won in the first round of each of those two tournaments. Now she is culminating her efforts grandly at the US Open.

Despite facing Boulter, who is ranked 33rd and knows what it means to win titles, Bouzas did not shrink. She showed great character and capitalized on the Briton's mistakes to advance to the third round of the New York Grand Slam. A significant achievement.

Boulter, tall with a powerful serve and a knack for hitting winners, did not have her best day. She committed 37 unforced errors and managed only 17 winners. However, she will mostly regret the missed opportunities in the first set. The Brit had a 4-2 lead with serve and a set point on Bouzas' serve at 5-4. That was her chance, but when Bouzas neutralized it, she took control of the match. From that set point against her, Bouzas lost only two more points to take the set 7-5.

She had turned the tide of the match and carried that momentum into a 3-1 lead in the second set with two chances to go up 4-1. Boulter dug deep and weathered the initial storm but could not withstand the second wave. The Brit was unable to keep up with Bouzas' rallies and grew frustrated when points were not decided within a few shots. Her serve, crucial for someone standing at 1.82 meters, failed her as she landed only 55% of her first serves and won less than 50% of points on her second serve.

This passivity allowed Bouzas to accelerate to a 5-2 lead when victory seemed within reach. Despite this significant advantage, Bouzas lost the next three games, winning only one point out of twelve. The British crowd relished thoughts of a comeback similar to Dan Evans' two days prior when he overturned a 0-40 and 15-40 deficit against Karen Khachanov.

But Boulter could not capitalize on this moment; she collapsed instead. Bouzas secured the last two games and for the second consecutive Grand Slam is through to the third round. She is the second Spaniard in this round alongside Paula Badosa, who will play for a spot in the last sixteen against Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Bouzas will face either Sofia Kenin or Jessica Pegula.

Sara Sorribes could not join Badosa and Bouzas as she was overpowered by Beatriz Haddad-Maia (6-4, 6-1), who enjoyed overwhelming support from Brazilian fans in the stands.