Boulter Suffers First-round Exit To Ruse In Austria

Britain's Katie Boulter suffered a first-round conclusion to Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse astatine nan Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open.

Boulter, 29, went down 7-6 7-6 connected clay to world number 87 Ruse, who will now look Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska aliases American Ann Li successful nan past 16.

Boulter mislaid her first 2 work games successful nan opening group but doubly collapsed earlier she was edged retired successful a tie-break.

The British number 3 collapsed Ruse's service for a 3rd clip to return an early advantage successful nan 2nd group but her force instantly responded successful a see-saw encounter.

Boulter staved disconnected lucifer constituent astatine 6-5 down to unit different tie-break, but Ruse claimed 2 mini breaks to move 5-2 up earlier serving retired to seal her win.

World number 62 Boulter won nan 4th WTA Tour title of her profession astatine nan Ostrava Open successful February and reached nan past 8 astatine nan Merida Open successful Mexico.

However, she did not make it past nan 2nd and 3rd rounds respectively astatine Indian Wells and nan Miami Open anterior to this loss.