French Open 2026 results: Katie Boulter grinds out win to reach second round

The 29-year-old has had a difficult year in 2025, falling from 24th in the world rankings to outside the top 100 and losing his England number one ranking due to injury problems.

Seeking a fresh start, she left her long-time coach Biljana Veselinovic and appointed Maria Sharapova’s former coach Michael Joyce in early 2026.

Boulter, who was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open in January, returned to the world’s top 100 by winning the WTA 250 title in Ostrava and reaching the third round in Miami.

But her form remained inconsistent and she had won only three WTA Tour-level singles matches in four clay tournaments in preparation for the Paris Major.

Unforced errors flew freely from both players’ rackets and the duo suffered two breaks in the opening set before Boulter served for the second time.

Back-to-back double faults from Boulter put Urhobo ahead at the start of the second quarter, and although Boulter leveled the scores midway through the set, the Florida-born player quickly regained his advantage and forced the decider.

Both players raised their level in the third game and the quality improved slightly with Boulter stamping his authority on the competition with a break in the fourth game.

The Briton once again failed to hold serve in the set and eventually – after two hours and 10 minutes – broke Urhobo’s serve for the sixth time to win.

Ultimately, 58 simple errors to Boulter’s 35 proved costly for rising star Urhobo, who broke into the top 200 for the first time earlier this year.