Katie Boulter exits US Open in third-round loss to Peyton Stearns

British number one Katie Boulter’s run at the US Open was ended in the third round by Peyton Stearns. The 27-year-old from Leicester picked up two fine wins in her opening two matches, but American world number 59 Stearns proved too strong on a breezy Court 17. Boulter was gunning for revenge having lost to Stearns across three tie-breaks and three-and-half hours in Texas in February. But this was never as close a match despite Boulter clawing back an early break in the first set. Holding serve was becoming an arduous task and Stearns duly struck again to pinch the opener. A solitary break in the second was enough to send Boulter packing as 21-year-old Stearns ran out a 6-4 6-3 winner. Boulter can be proud of her efforts in New York, however, with a place in the world’s top 50 on the cards for the first time in her career.