Boulter aimed to put behind her a challenging year in 2025, which she characterized as a year of misfortune.
Her strategy for 2026 involved a fresh start, and a key component of this was bringing on Michael Joyce, a coach known for guiding Maria Sharapova to Grand Slam victories.
The strong baseline player, Boulter, has commenced effectively, achieving multiple wins over competitors beyond the top 60, yet imperfections in her serving technique require resolution.
Her low success rate on first serves when playing Osorio forced her to fend off four break points to keep her advantage, even though she capitalized on her Colombian opponent’s vulnerabilities by powerfully attacking her second serve.
The slower court conditions in Merida are not particularly favorable for Boulter’s playing style, especially after her recent experience on the faster indoor surfaces in Ostrava.
Adaptation poses a challenge for Boulter, which is why her more fluid return performance against Osorio provided encouragement.
However, she understands that continued progress is essential to sustain her current momentum, especially if her quarter-final adversary turns out to be two-time Grand Slam runner-up Paolini, whose ball-striking and physical prowess have historically presented challenges for Boulter.
