Aryna Sabalenka defends ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match after Brisbane international win
Britain’s fourth-ranked Katie Boulter started her season with a win over Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
In her first match since October and her first under new coach Michael Joyce, Bolt won 6-3 6-3 in the first round.
She has a wild card into the WTA 250 main draw and will next face Ukraine’s top seed Elina Svitolina.
Bolt missed out on a spot in the Australian Open main draw after falling out of the world’s top 100.
She is currently the third substitute and will need to win through qualifying at Melbourne Park if there are not enough retirements.
Compatriot Sonay Kartal beat Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 in their first-round match in Auckland.
World No. 68 Kartal, who reached the last 16 at Wimbledon 2025, will face Germany’s Ella Seidl in the second round.
