British number one Katie Boulter is out of the Wuhan Open after a first-round defeat by Russian Diana Shnaider.
After a competitive first set, Boulter lost her serve four times in the second as world number 13 Shnaider convincingly won 6-3 6-1 in one hour and 30 minutes.
This has been a largely disappointing season for Boulter, who is ranked 54th in the world and has posted just two wins across the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Since suffering a first-round exit at Wimbledon in June, Boulter has won just three of the nine singles matches she has played on the WTA Tour.
This one came at a difficult time for Boulter, whose grandfather, Brian, died last week.
He was described by Boulter’s brother James as “Katie’s biggest supporter” and Boulter said in a social media tribute before competing in Wuhan that she had experienced “a tough week”.
