Britain’s Katie Boulter was knocked out of the Japan Open after a straight-sets defeat to Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the second round, losing 6-3 6-1 in Osaka.
Boulter, ranked 59th in the world, had impressed in her opener by upsetting world number 17 Linda Noskova, but was unable to build on that momentum as Cirstea, ranked 51, dominated the match to advance in just over an hour.
The Romanian broke Boulter three times in the first four games to take control at 3-1 before closing out the opening set. She then raced to a 5-0 lead in the second, breaking the Briton three more times. Although Boulter managed to claw one break back, Cirstea quickly regained control to seal her spot in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Naomi Osaka booked her place in the last eight with a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-2 victory over defending champion Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands.
Osaka required a medical timeout late in the deciding set while leading 5-0 and returned to court with her left thigh strapped before closing out the match.
“It was definitely really difficult,” Osaka said afterwards. “I’m kind of sorry for my attitude, but I’m really glad to have won.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion will face Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in Friday’s quarter-finals.
