Leylah Fernandez took the first set 6-3 against Katie Boulter in their opening-round match at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London on Monday, the eighth-seeded Canadian opening her grass-court campaign with a dominant display.
The match marked a significant moment for the tournament, which is hosting women’s tennis for the first time in more than 50 years. The WTA 500 event runs from June 8 to 14 at the historic London venue.
Boulter, the British No. 3, received a wildcard to compete in the tournament on home soil, according to Sky Sports. The Andy Murray Arena hosted the first-round encounter, which continued the grass-court swing following the clay-court season.
Queen’s Club originally hosted both men’s and women’s players from 1890 to 1973, before scheduling pressures led to women’s tennis being removed from the tournament calendar, according to the New York Times. The 2026 edition marks the triumphant return of women’s competition to the venue after more than five decades away, with 11 of the world’s top 20 players competing for a £1 million prize fund.
Fernandez, ranked world No. 23, is one of the leading seeds in the field. Her first-set victory puts her in position to advance further in the competition as she continues her grass-court preparation ahead of Wimbledon.
Sources
- WTA — Fernandez’s first-set score and match confirmation
- Sky Sports — Boulter’s wildcard entry and first-round matchup
- WTA Tennis — Tournament overview, women’s return after 50 years, seeding information
- The New York Times — Historical context on women’s tennis absence from 1973 onward
