This summer has been full of amazing wins for the Brits with five top 15 wins already and plenty more to come! Here’s a run down of the biggest ranking scalps so far.
Peniston shocks the world
The rise of Ryan Peniston has been one of the stories of the grass court season – with his greatest highlight coming in the first round at Queen’s.
Faced with a mammoth challenge of taking on the top seed, world No.5 and French Open runner-up Casper Ruud, the 26-year-old stood up to the test.
In front of the home crowd on Centre Court, Peniston truly announced himself to the British fans by coming through two close tie-break sets 7-6(4), 7-6(2).
“I can’t really believe it, it feels like a dream,” he said after his breakthrough win in his first ATP Tour match. “I didn’t get much sleep last night thinking about this match. It doesn’t feel real.”
Burrage takes down Badosa on the South coast
Jodie Burrage proved that rankings are but a number as she put on a fearless display against the world No.4, Paula Badosa, in a 6-4, 6-3 in triumph.
Claiming the scalp of the former Indian Wells champion, the 23-year-old appeared to have all the answers as she frustrated her opponent, seeing out the first, and then the second to put the match to bed in one hour and 15 minutes.
The victory marked her second career best wins in consecutive days – following her first W100 final only the day before that. Impressive stuff Jodie!!
Draper seals career best win in Queen’s
Jack Draper has been a giant killer this summer and he certainly got the fans going in his first round match at the cinch Championships. Facing a tricky draw up against the world No.14 and former Eastbourne champion Taylor Fritz.
Draper put on a powerhouse masterclass on Centre Court – dazzling with an array of winners from all over the court to seal a career best victory. The American could do nothing to stop the Brit and his trademark lefty forehand from dictating the play and after taking the opening set with a beautiful winner down the line he went on to win the match 6-3, 6-2 in just an hour and 15 minutes.
“It was amazing, I enjoyed my time out here. (I’m) at the start of my career, haven’t played in front of this many people that often. I’m just glad of the way I played today.”
Boulter downs two-time former champion
The grass court season has been incredible for Katie Boulter as – after her fantastic run in Birmingham – the young Briton went on to seal a career best win over two-time Eastbourne champion, Karolina Pliskova. A set down and having to answer a tall order in the second, the British No.4 raised her level, reaping the rewards as she edged in front to call for a decider.
Now two sets apiece, it was all to play for, and Boulter wasn’t going to let any opportunity slip. The 25-year-old forced the Czech on the back foot before securing the win with a one-two punch that drove Pliskova to a heavy-handed shot beyond the baseline – granting Boulter her first top 10 win.
What else is left to say apart from congratulations Katie!
Draper out battles Schwartzman on the big stage
Draper was back at it again in the second round of the Rothesay International Eastbourne facing off against the world No.15 Diego Schwartzman.
This time posing a different test for the 20-year-old, the Argentine demonstrated his fighting spirit in a closely fought opening set, but on his first opportunity to take the set at 6-5, Draper was up to the challenge with a rocket forehand winner kissing the left hand corner of the court.
Having missed out on the chance to serve for the match at 5-3, the 20-year-old stood tall in the tie-break and clinched a vital mini-break with one of the points of the tournament – featuring drop shots, lobs, smashes, you name it – before taking his second top 15 win in two weeks. The score finished 7-5, 7-6(3) and signified yet another step on Draper’s road to the top.