British number one Katie Boulter faced a disappointing first-round exit at the Cincinnati Open, losing 2-6, 6-0, 7-5 to Poland's Magda Linette. Boulter initially took control of the match by breaking Linette's serve twice for a 4-0 lead in the first set. However, Linette quickly turned the tide, dominating the second set and 'bageling' Boulter in just 25 minutes. The third set saw a back-and-forth battle as Boulter rallied to level at 4-4 after saving two match points, but she ultimately succumbed to Linette's third match point. With this victory, Linette advances to face either Wang Xinyu or Liudmila Samsonova in the next round. Boulter's defeat mirrors a tough day for British tennis, as compatriot Harriet Dart also lost in her first-round match.