British tennis player Katie Boulter has been knocked out of the Wuhan Open following a straight sets defeat by Russia’s Diana Shnaider in the first round.
Shnaider, the world number 13, secured a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory in one hour and 30 minutes. Although Boulter put up a fight in the opening set, she struggled badly in the second, losing her serve four times as the Russian took control of the match.
The defeat adds to what has been a difficult season for Boulter, who is currently ranked 54th in the world. Her performances at the four Grand Slam tournaments have been particularly disappointing, with just two victories across the competitions.
Since exiting Wimbledon in the first round in June, the British number one has managed only three wins in nine singles matches on the WTA Tour, highlighting her struggles to find consistent form.
Boulter also entered the Wuhan tournament following a difficult period in her personal life. Her grandfather, Brian, died last week, a loss that came shortly before her opening match in China.
Her brother, James, described Brian as Katie’s biggest supporter. In a social media tribute shared before the tournament, Boulter also acknowledged the difficult week she had endured.
The early exit means Boulter will have to wait for another opportunity to regain momentum as she looks to turn around a challenging season.
