Katie Boulter’s time at the Acapulco Open came to an end at the hands of Jasmine Paolini in the quarter-final.
Boulter reached the quarter-final thanks to a withdrawal, but she started fantastically against Paolini in the first set.
The British star won the first set 6-0, but lost the next two 6-3 6-3 to confirm her exit from the Mexican competition.
After surviving a first set scare, Paolini explained what she found ‘really tough’ about her last eight clash with Boulter.
Jasmine Paolini was impressed by Katie Boulter’s level in Acapulco
Paolini was blown off the court in the first set and she couldn’t believe the level Boulter was playing at in Acapulco.
Speaking after the match, the Italian said: “It was a really tough one – Katie, the first set she was smashing every ball and hitting a winner everywhere.”
What is stopping Katie Boulter from staying in the WTA top 20?
Paolini had to dig deep to produce a stellar comeback and she explained her thought process after receiving a first set bagel.
“I was telling myself to play more deep in the court and hit the ball harder because I had to raise the level to try and win the match and in the end it worked out,” she explained.
“I was trying to be calm, to think what I had to do. I think when you’re nervous you can’t find the solutions.”
Paolini will now play Cristina Bucșa in the semi-final as she continues her quest to lift her first title of the season.
Katie Boulter continues to climb the WTA Tour rankings
Boulter’s win at the Ostrava Open not only started her new partnership with Michael Joyce in terrific fashion, but it ensured the British star bounced back from her ranking slump.
The 29-year-old fell outside of the top 100 at the turn of the year, but she is now on the cusp of the top 50 once again.
Do you think women should play best-of-five set matches?
Her performances at the Mexican Open have ensured she has continued her ranking climb and she now sits at World No. 64.
After falling out the top 100, Boulter now sits above some pretty big names in the world of tennis, including Eva Lys, Caty McNally, and Danielle Collins.
Boulter’s next tournament is set to be Indian Wells, where she has only previously tasted victory on one occasion.
The star’s sole win came last year, when she defeated Irina-Camelia Begu in three sets.
