Katie Boulter helped spearhead a memorable day for British women at the LTA’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy by becoming one of several home stars to book their place in the last 16.
The Leicester ace, who is supported by the LTA’s Pro Access Programme, beat Australian Olivia Gadecki 6-2 6-1 to set up a tantalising all-British clash with Sonay Kartal on Thursday.
Kartal, who is supported by the LTA’s PSP Programme, grabbed revenge against Viktoria Hruncakova as a 6-3 6-2 win turned the tables on a defeat against the Slovakian in French Open qualifying.
Wildcard entry Isabelle Lacy, 16, got the day underway with a stunning win in her first competitive match against a player ranked in the top 100.
Lacy progressed to the last 16 after a brilliant three-set victory over third seed and American ace Madison Brengle to keep her remarkable Surbiton adventure alive.
Fellow Brit Eden Silva also advanced after a routine 6-4 6-4 triumph over Mexican Marcela Zacarias.
And Katie Swan also followed in the footsteps of Boulter, Kartal, Lacy and Silva by beating Canada’s Carol Zhao 6-2 6-0.
There was disappointment for Heather Watson, however, as Maddison Inglis battled back from a set down to triumph in a deciding tie-break.
In the men’s singles, Liam Broady – who, like Boulter, Swan and Silva, is supported by the LTA’s Pro Access Programme – was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Canada’s Gabriel Diallo.
But Dan Evans cemented his place in the last 16 with a straight-sets victory over Australian James Mccabe.
The British No.2 beat Mccabe 6-4 6-4 with an emphatic centre court performance and will now face Diallo in the last 16.
But there will be no fairytale all-British clash for Harry Wendelken after the young prospect was eliminated by China’s Bu Yunchaokete.
A win would have handed Wendelken a dream draw against two-time Wimbledon champion and former world No.1 Andy Murray, but he went down to a 7-6 (2) 7-5 defeat against Bu.
Billy Harris also missed out after suffering a 6-3 7-5 loss to Rinky Hijikata, while fellow Brit Mark Whitehouse was also eliminated after suffering a straight-sets defeat against Belgian Zizou Bergs.
In the doubles format, Swan backed up her outstanding singles display with a win over Viktorija Golubic and Sabrina Santamaria alongside Australian partner Priscilla Hon.
And she will be joined in the quarter-finals by fellow Brit Emily Appleton and her German partner Julia Lohoff, who triumphed 6-0 6-4 over Kimberly Birrell and Ingrid Gamarra Martins.
Elsewhere, British pair Naiktha Bains and Maia Lumsden were both knocked out of the women’s doubles, while compatriot Emily Webley-Smith also suffered a defeat alongside Belgian partner Magali Kempen.
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
Join the discussion