Katie Boulter’s hopes of a strong performance at the Australian Open ended in disappointment as she lost to Veronika Kudermetova in the second round .

Bolt, seeded for the first time at Melbourne Park, looks well-placed to break new ground heading into the second week of the Grand Slam.

However, the 22nd seed, who survived a tough first-round match against Rebecca Marino, was unable to repeat the feat against Kudermetova, eventually falling 7-6 (7-3). Lost 2-6 6-2.

The defeat was particularly disappointing as Bolt had a fantastic start to the season in the Confederations Cup, where she came close to beating Iga Swiatek.

Kudermetova has slipped to No. 75 in the rankings after a bad year, but she was a top-10 player who gave Bolt a chill on a cold Melbourne night.

The British number one won just one of her first six games but then made a comeback, saving three set points 5-2 in four consecutive games.

Midway through the sequence, Kudermetova called her trainer to report noticeable tightness in her chest or back, which caused a lengthy delay.

Fiancé Alex De Minaur tried to cheer for Bolt incognito in a black hoodie and hat, but Kudermetova stopped playing with her, forcing a tie-break and was one of the better performers Good player.

Bolt needed a good start in the second set, and she did it, leading 4-1. In this first attack, she seemed to be the more stable of the two.

Bolt also seemed to have the upper hand early in the deciding set, but she was unable to find Kudermetova’s break point and the Russian took the lead in the sixth game before leveling the match.

“I’m proud of myself for going out every week and putting everything I’ve got on the court,” Bolt said.

“I felt like I wasn’t quite there yet today. Obviously, it hurts to lose a game like this, but I’m a guy that’s going to keep showing up.

“Of course, I want to play in the Grand Slams, but eventually, I do feel that will come. It’s just a matter of time.

“When I think back over the past three weeks, my levels have been higher than my normal levels for a long time. If I keep doing this every day, then I know I’m going to have my levels in a moment.” .

“Whether it’s today or a year from now, whether it’s the end of this year or the middle of the year, I can’t tell you.”

Jabr overcomes asthma attack to win, Rybakina and Svitolina cruise

Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Ons Jabr was in tears during second-round match against Camila Osorio due to asthma

The Tunisian left the court for treatment after three games before beating Osorio 7-5 6-3 at Melbourne Park.

Meanwhile, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated American qualifier Eva Jovich 6-0 6-3 to achieve her first Grand Slam main draw singles match. 50 wins.

Elena Svitolina defeated No. 14 seed Caroline Dorshid in straight sets, 6-1 6-4, and successfully entered the third round. One round will take on the winner of Renata Sarasua and Jasmine Paolini.

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