\n<\/p>\n
Boulter said she had “dreamt” of playing at a Queen’s tournament after she came through a match filled with twists and turns against Tomljanovic.<\/p>\n
After years of watching the men’s tournament, the 28-year-old said it was “special” to play in the inaugural women’s WTA 500 event at the iconic venue.<\/p>\n
“I came out yesterday to watch Andy get his first court [named after him], which is special in itself,” she said.<\/p>\n
“To get the women back here feels very special. It’s actually something I dreamt of, having come here the last couple of years to watch the men play, so I’m just really grateful to be on this court.”<\/p>\n
In her first singles match of the season on the surface, Boulter navigated a tricky hold where she saw off break points before impressively breaking to love, but missed the opportunity at 5-4 to serve out the set.<\/p>\n
Instead, Boulter relied on her serve to get her out of trouble in the first-set tie-break, smashing a forehand winner to take the set in just over an hour.<\/p>\n
But things spiralled rapidly for Boulter in set two as she struggled to find any rhythm, falling down a double break and struggling to find the answers.<\/p>\n
And, having relied so heavily on a strong serve in the first set, she double-faulted on the first point of the opening game in the decider, laying the foundations for Tomljanovic to break.<\/p>\n
Now on a run of six games without a win for Boulter, the home crowd was flat and struggled to provide the Briton with the boost she needed.<\/p>\n
That came soon after, though, as Boulter immediately broke back and rediscovered some momentum to win three games in a row.<\/p>\n
More to-ing and fro-ing followed as neither player could hold their serve but Boulter eventually kept her calm at 4-4, holding serve before taking the match when Tomljanovic’s forehand dropped long.<\/p>\n
She will face Poland’s Magdalena Frech or fifth seed Diana Shnaider in the next round.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n