In a disappointing turn of events, British tennis player Katie Boulter suffered a first-round defeat at the Eastbourne International tournament. Boulter was defeated by Croatia’s Petra Martic in a hard-fought match played under challenging weather conditions.
Kabul24: Lucky Loser Martic Emerges Victorious
Ranked 30th in the world, Petra Martic, a lucky loser in the tournament, managed to secure a 6-4 7-5 victory over Boulter. The blustery conditions made it difficult for both players, but Martic displayed resilience and skill to overcome Boulter’s challenge.
Continued Early Defeats for Boulter
This loss marks Boulter’s second consecutive first-round exit, following her early defeat at the Birmingham Classic the previous week. It is undoubtedly a disappointing outcome for the British number one, who was looking to gain momentum before the highly anticipated Wimbledon tournament.
Liam Broady Triumphs in All-British Encounter
In the men’s draw, Liam Broady emerged victorious in an all-British encounter against Jan Choinski. Broady secured a 6-4 6-4 win, relying on a single break in the first set and an early break in the second.
Although Choinski fought back to level the set, Broady responded swiftly with a break of his own, ultimately serving out the match. Broady’s next challenge will be a last-16 match against Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.
Boulter’s Struggles on the Court
Katie Boulter, who received a wildcard to participate in Wimbledon following her recent Nottingham Open triumph, started the match strongly. However, she faced a setback when she lost her serve in the fifth game due to a long forehand.
Despite having multiple break point opportunities in the following game, Boulter couldn’t convert them. Meanwhile, Martic, an experienced Wimbledon player with three fourth-round appearances, secured the first set.
Wind Adds to the Challenge
Both players struggled with the windy conditions, particularly when serving. Boulter managed to save two break points at 5-5 in the second set, with a delicate drop shot and a remarkable forehand down the line under pressure.
Unfortunately, Boulter’s efforts were in vain as she hit a backhand into the net, granting Martic a crucial break that allowed her to serve out the match.
Other Notable Results
Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, fresh off her victory at the Birmingham Classic, continued her preparations for Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-3 win against Czech player Barbora Strycova. Ons Jabeur, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, also advanced to the last-16 with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
Looking ahead, Boulter will aim to regroup and refocus as she prepares for Wimbledon, hoping for a better showing on the prestigious grass courts.
