Boulter loses to Gauff in China Open third round

Katie Boulter is out of the China Open after suffering a straight-set defeat by Coco Gauff on Sunday.

The British number one was beaten 7-5 6-2 by the world number six, who progresses to the fourth round in Beijing.

The 20-year-old American went 5-2 up in the first set before Boulter, 28, found her rhythm, winning three games on the bounce to level the match.

After a hold from the 2023 US Open champion, Boulter saved two set points but she double-faulted before sending a forehand wide to hand Gauff the first set after 50 minutes.

Gauff broke Boulter's serve before going 4-1 up in the second set. Boulter, the world number 34, then saved one match point but Gauff broke her serve again to clinch the set inside 35 minutes.

Gauff will face Japan's Naomi Osaka or compatriot Katie Volynets for a place in the quarter-finals, as she aims to reach her second final of the year after defending her Auckland Classic title in January.