Bronze fires home winning penalty to book Lionesses place in Euro 2025 semi-finals
Paolini boots Boulter out of Madrid Open
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (right) and Jasmine Paolini of Italy shake hands after the women's singles semi-final tennis match of the WTA tour, in Stuttgart, Germany, April 20, 2025
Mary Kom’s fists made history in the boxing world. Malak Mesleh’s never got the chance. One story ends in glory, the other in grief — but both highlight the defiance of women who dare to fight, writes JOHN WIGHT
KATIE BOULTER was thumped 6-1 6-2 by Jasmine Paolini in just 56 minutes in the second round of the Madrid Open.
The British number one is still inexperienced on clay and proved no match for the sixth seed, who reached the French Open final last season.
Boulter particularly struggled on serve, winning only 11 points in the match, while she did not hold serve until the penultimate game of the contest.
Paolini had a chance to clinch an even more decisive victory when she held a first match point at 5-0 in the second set but Boulter at least rallied a little to avoid a love set.
Men’s ninth seed Daniil Medvedev was given a free passage through to the third round when opponent Laslo Djere withdrew, while women’s ninth seed Paula Badosa pulled out with a back injury.
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Bronze fires home winning penalty to book Lionesses place in Euro 2025 semi-finals
