Is she going to equal her record..

... for double faults in 2026?

Katie Boulter came very close to an inglorious record in 2025, dangerously approaching Coco Gauff’s mark when it comes to double faults:6.47 per match compared to 6.77 for the American. A telling number that reflects an overall difficult 2025 season for the former British no. 1.

To be fair to her, there’s the arrival of anew coach (a former member of Sharapova’s team)and a winter training block that was announced as very intense. It remains to be seen whether that will be enough against the Ukrainian prodigy.Things still need time to click, and this first round clearly doesn’t look like the draw she was hoping for to start her season.

On top of that, Auckland offersoften windy conditions, which are rarely ideal for a player whose serve is already shaky.

On the other side of the net,Yuliia Starodubtsevacomes in with momentum, withtwo qualifying matches already in her legs, including abrutal 6–1 6–1against rising Austrian starLilli Tagger (42 wins in 52 matches in 2025). Further proof that she feels perfectly at ease in New Zealand conditions.

Coming from theAmerican college circuit, where she excelled, Starodubtseva has only been a professional since 2024, but she quickly made a name for herself byshaking up several top-50 players. Her 2025 season was more relaxed, with less consistency and commitment, butthis start to the 2026 season is strongly reminiscent of her excellent 2024 campaign.

Her game is complete:variety, depth, aggression from the baseline, and a real liking forfast courts, like the center court here.

This profile seems enough to me tothrow a still-rusty Boulter off track, especially since the Brit is in the draw thanks to awild cardfor this tournament.Clear edge to the Ukrainian in these conditions.