In the second stage of the Japan Open, Katie Boulter, the third-highest ranked British player, suffered a 6-3, 6-1 defeat against Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
Boulter, ranked 59th globally, previously upset Linda Noskova, the 17th-ranked player, in the initial stage but was overcome in an hour and nine minutes in Osaka.
The first set featured three service breaks in the initial four games, with Cirstea, the world number 51, establishing a 3-1 advantage before securing the set.
En route to establishing a 5-0 lead in the second set, Cirstea broke Boulter’s serve on three occasions.
Even though Boulter managed to break back, she couldn’t maintain her serve in the subsequent game, enabling Cirstea to clinch a spot in the quarter-finals.
