GB’s Boulter loses first round at Eastbourne – BBC Sport

British number one Katie Boulter suffered a first-round exit at the Eastbourne International when she lost to Croatia’s Petra Martic.

Lucky loser Martic, who is ranked 30th in the world, secured a 6-4 7-5 victory over Boulter in blustery conditions.

It was Boulter’s second consecutive first-round loss after an early exit at the Birmingham Classic last week.

In the men’s draw, Liam Broady beat Jan Choinski 6-3 6-4 in an all-British encounter.

Broady needed just one break to take the first set and broke early in the second, before Choinski forced the set back on serve.

World number 147 Broady immediately responded with a break of his own and served out the match to set up a last-16 tie with Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.

Boulter, who received a wildcard to play at Wimbledon next week after his victory at the Nottingham Open, started well against Martic but lost his serve in the fifth game to a long forehand.

Four break points came and went for the Briton in the next game and Martic, who has appeared in the fourth round three times at Wimbledon, eventually clinched the first set.

The wind made serving conditions difficult for both players and Boulter found himself having to save two break points at 5-5 – the first with a floated drop shot and the second with a stunning forehand down the stretch. in line under pressure.

But that good work was wasted when Boulter sent a backhand into the net to give Martic a crucial break that allowed him to serve out the match.

“I’ve played seven matches on grass, I’m very happy where I’m at,” Boulter said.

“I don’t think I’ve lost confidence these past few weeks just because I’ve lost to high-ranked players.

“I feel like I’m playing really good tennis. I’ve been practicing incredibly every single day this week.”

Following Britons Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage’s success in Eastbourne on Monday, compatriot Heather Watson missed her chance to extend her Wimbledon preparations after losing 6-3 6-4 in Italy Camila Giorgi.

Watson, ranked 149th in the world, was given a lucky loser opportunity after Birmingham semi-finalist Anastasia Potapova withdrew with a right shoulder injury.

However, Giorgi, looking to bounce back from her first-round defeat to Venus Williams in Birmingham last week, was in control throughout, saving six of the seven break points she faced en route to victory.

Earlier, Latvian Jelena Ostapenkofresh from winning the Birmingham Classic on Sunday, continued her Wimbledon build-up with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Czech player Barbora Strycova.

Ostapenko, who faces Dart in the next round, was due to play defending champion Petra Kvitova in her opener, but the Czech world number nine pulled out following her victory at the German Open on Sunday.

Burrage will face the American fifth seed Coco Gauff in her last-16 match after she comfortably defeated compatriot Bernarda Pera 6-3 6-2.

Gauff’s doubles partner, American world number three Jessica Peguladefeated China’s Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-4 to advance.

Following Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal from the tournament, France Caroline Garcia she was replaced as the top seed and comfortably secured a 6-1 7-5 victory over American Madison Brengle.

Runner-up at Wimbledon last year Our Jabeur advanced to the last 16 with a 6-3 6-2 win over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.

Elsewhere, British number one Cameron Norrie defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-3 3-6 10-6 in the exhibition event at the Hurlingham Club.