Katie Boulter continued her 2026 revival with a hard-fought victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the Miami Open first round. The British No 3, who received direct entry after consistent WTA Tour form, battled back from 6-2 down in the first-set tie break to win 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 in one hour and 48 minutes.

Boulter's win sets up a second-round clash with 17th seed Clara Tauson. The 29-year-old entered Miami on a high after claiming her fourth tour-level title at the Ostrava Open last month and reaching the quarter-finals at the Merida Open. Despite losing in qualifying at Indian Wells, Boulter showed resilience in Florida, saving six set points in a prolonged opening set tie-break that lasted over an hour.

The British player maintained her level throughout, breaking back after an early second-set break and serving out the match. Boulter acknowledged her opponent's quality, noting the high level of tennis played. Her victory marks another step in her resurgence after a challenging period, demonstrating the mental toughness that has characterized her recent performances on the WTA Tour.