Boulter Exits Ningbo Open, Haddad Maia Advances

British tennis player Katie Boulter was eliminated from the Ningbo Open after losing in straight sets to Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia. Despite Boulter's prior undefeated record against Haddad Maia, the Brazilian, ranked 10th in the world, secured a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 victory to advance to the quarter-finals, where she will face Spain's Paula Badosa. The match was closely contested, with neither player facing a break point until the tie-break in the first set, and Boulter committing costly double faults in the second set. This marks Boulter's first loss to Haddad Maia in four encounters. Boulter, currently ranked 35th, entered the Ningbo Open following a first-round exit at the Wuhan Open and a win against Sara Errani in the first round of this tournament. Meanwhile, fellow Brit Dan Evans is set to play Frances Tiafoe at the Almaty Open, and Harriet Dart advanced in the Japan Women's Open.