Boulter and Fearnley Celebrate Breakthrough French Open Wins on Emotional Day for British Tennis

Katie Boulter and Jacob Fearnley reach Roland Garros second round with maiden main-draw victories

It was a memorable Monday for British tennis at Roland Garros, as Katie Boulter and Jacob Fearnley both secured their first-ever main-draw victories at the French Open. On the storied clay courts of Paris, where the red dust has long been a challenge for many British players, Boulter and Fearnley each overcame the odds – and in very different ways – to write new chapters in their individual journeys.

While Boulter had to rally from a set down against a determined French wildcard, Fearnley produced a composed and mature display to dismantle three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets. The pair now move on to the second round, joining Emma Raducanu in keeping British hopes alive at the year’s second Grand Slam.

Boulter ends wait for first French Open win with gritty comeback

Katie Boulter fights back to beat Carole Monnet in French Open first round

Katie Boulter, now the British No.1 and ranked 38th in the world, had waited a long time for this moment. At 28 years old, and after several earlier exits at Roland Garros, Boulter finally got the breakthrough she’d been chasing – a 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-1 win over Carole Monnet in front of a lively home crowd on Court 7.

Monnet, ranked 231st in the world and playing in front of passionate French supporters, made life difficult for Boulter early on. The first set was tight and nervy, as the Brit struggled to settle into rhythm on a surface that has historically tested her patience and confidence. When she lost the opening set in a tiebreak, it looked like her clay-court frustrations might continue.

But Boulter responded brilliantly. With controlled aggression and a willingness to trust her heavy forehand on the slower surface, she took complete control of the match. The final two sets were one-way traffic as Monnet, who had used her variety and movement well in the opener, began to struggle with Boulter’s increased power and precision.

Speaking after her win, Boulter was visibly proud of the achievement. “I’m really pleased with myself,” she said. “I sometimes find it really difficult on this surface, and I’ve kind of persevered and tried my hardest to bring some good tennis. This one is special for me and it’ll go in my books.”

It was the kind of honest, heartfelt reflection that showed how much this moment meant. A seasoned campaigner who has had her share of injuries and setbacks, Boulter is showing in 2024 that she’s ready to compete at the highest level – even on her least favourite surface.

Next up: a clash with Madison Keys?

If Boulter is to continue her French adventure, she may have to overcome one of the form players of the season. Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys could be her second-round opponent, provided the American comes through her opening match.

It would be a serious test for Boulter, but she’ll take confidence not only from her fightback against Monnet, but from a solid season overall that has seen her climb steadily up the rankings and establish herself as Britain’s top-ranked female player.

Fearnley stuns Wawrinka on Slam debut in Paris

While Boulter’s win was a story of long-awaited success, Jacob Fearnley’s was more like a coming-out party. Making his main-draw debut at Roland Garros – and playing just his second ever Tour-level match on clay – the 23-year-old Scot showed no signs of nerves as he took out 2015 French Open champion Stan Wawrinka 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 6-2.

Fearnley, who only a year ago was ranked outside the top 500, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent months. Now at a career-high ranking of 55, the former TCU college star brought a cool head and fearless game to Court 14, silencing a partisan crowd that had come to cheer on the beloved 40-year-old Swiss veteran.

The match began evenly, with both players trading holds and the first set going to a tiebreak. There, Fearnley edged ahead with some brave baseline hitting and a gutsy passing shot to close it out 8-6. From that point on, he looked like the man in charge.

A quick break in the second set saw him cruise to a 4-1 lead, and he closed out the set with a love hold that sent a clear message: he wasn’t just there to make up the numbers.

Wawrinka, known for his thunderous one-handed backhand and competitive fire, tried to spark a comeback in the third. He broke back to level at 2-2, and for a moment, it seemed the old magic might return. The crowd roared in approval. But Fearnley wasn’t rattled. He regained control immediately, broke again, and reeled off four straight games to seal one of the biggest wins of his young career.

“They could’ve been saying nice things… but I doubt it”

After the match, Fearnley offered a typically dry and self-aware take on dealing with the pro-Wawrinka crowd: “There were a lot of guys talking to me. It was mostly in French. They could have been saying nice things, but I doubt it,” he joked.

His light-hearted tone belied the maturity he showed on court. Composure, clarity of thought, and a refusal to be overawed by the moment – those are the hallmarks of a player who belongs at this level.

And make no mistake: Fearnley is building quite the Grand Slam record. He’s now won main-draw matches at all three Slams he’s played – Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and now the French Open. It’s a remarkable achievement for someone whose rise has been so recent and rapid.

Raducanu and Burrage round out a mixed British day

Earlier in the day, Emma Raducanu also progressed, digging deep to beat China’s Wang Xinyu despite feeling unwell. The 2021 US Open champion revealed she had been “feeling sick” throughout the match, but still found enough resilience to come through in straight sets.

Unfortunately, Jodie Burrage was unable to make it a full house for the Brits. Playing under a protected injury ranking, the 25-year-old pushed former world No.7 Danielle Collins hard but fell 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 in a high-quality contest.

Still, with Boulter, Fearnley, and Raducanu all through, British tennis fans have plenty to smile about heading into the second round of Roland Garros.

What’s next?

Boulter now awaits confirmation of her second-round opponent, while Fearnley will face either Australia’s Christopher O’Connell or French 22nd seed Ugo Humbert – the latter of which would guarantee another vocal French crowd for the Scot to face down.

One thing’s for sure: both Boulter and Fearnley have already made this French Open a tournament to remember. In their own way, on their own terms, they’ve proven they belong. And for British tennis – often written off when it comes to clay – that’s a story worth celebrating.