Katie Boulter has progressed into the third round of the Miami Open after her teenage opponent, Brenda Fruhvirtova, was forced to retire through illness.
The 27-year old led the second-round match 7-6 (7-5) 1-0 when the Czech withdrew from the match.
Britain’s number one continues her stellar start to 2024 as she builds on her maiden WTA 500 title at the San Diego Open earlier this month.
The World number 27 bounced back after her first round defeat at Indian Wells in her last competition appearance to continue her impressive start to the season.
“To win like that, I’ll take it but I want her to get better,” said Boulter.
Speaking to Sky Sports, she added. “Halfway through the match I’m seeing her coaches telling her to pull out and then she’s not.
“One minute she’s struggling to put the ball in the court and the next she’s running 10 shots side to side. It’s a tough mental game.”
Boulter will face Brazilian 11th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the third round with the match scheduled for the early hours of Sunday morning BST.
Dan Evans has the different fortunes to Boulter this season as the Brit had to dig deep to come from behind to beat Lorenzo Sonego for a rare win – 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the world number 53.
Evans claimed that this year as been ‘tragic’ so far as the world number 43 has only three wins out of nine matches this season.
Fellow Britons Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper are all scheduled to play their second-round matches on Friday in Florida.
