Katie Boulter’s campaign at this year’s US Open came to an abrupt and painful end when she was overwhelmed by Karolina Muchova in a swift, two‑set demolition that lasted less than an hour on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. The British No. 1 was broken in every one of her seven service games, succumbing to a 6‑1, 6‑0 loss in just 58 minutes on the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The match began with Boulter managing to exchange a break of serve early in the first set, but Muchova, the 2026 Wimbledon finalist, quickly seized control and turned the encounter into a masterclass of aggressive baseline play and tactical variety. Boulter’s performance was marred by eight double faults and a staggering 22 unforced errors, a combination that left her confidence shattered and her hopes of progressing evaporated.
After the match, a visibly disappointed Boulter admitted that the day had been “a bad day at the office – times two.” She explained that she struggled with the indoor conditions, the noise of the crowd, and the presence of the roof, which she felt distracted her from her natural game. "I let it get to me," she said, "I’m not usually aware of everything going on. It made me feel a little bit uncomfortable.
I have to deal with it better." Tim Henman, a commentator for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Muchova’s all‑round abilities, noting that the Czech player’s repertoire was on full display. "The highlight reel from the match was outstanding," Henman observed. "She used short chip cross‑court shots, followed the ball in, and finished with crisp volleys at the net.
She can do anything. She has reached the French Open and Wimbledon finals and is great on hard courts. If she stays healthy, she has the experience, mentality, confidence and belief to win a major one day." Laura Robson, also with Sky Sports, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Muchova’s confidence and variety were the decisive factors. "She showed us every trick in the book," Robson said.
"She has so much in her repertoire. She’s playing with a lot of confidence for someone who hasn’t played a lot since Wimbledon." By contrast, Robson described Boulter’s performance as “not a good day at the office.” Jonathan Overend added that while Muchova has yet to capture a Grand Slam title, her display at Flushing Meadows suggested she possesses the potential to go deep in the tournament. "A day to forget for Katie Boulter," he remarked.
"She just wasn’t there and lost her serve seven times out of seven. That does not give you a chance." In other British news from the tournament, qualifier Fran Jones secured a hard‑earned victory after a rain‑interrupted first‑round match against Poland’s Magda Linette. The 25‑year‑old had taken the opening set before play was suspended for a lengthy delay. When the match resumed, the weather opened up again, and Linette quickly claimed the second set in just 23 minutes.
However, Jones rallied in the decider, taking the final set 6‑4, 1‑6, 6‑3 to advance to the second round for the first time in her career. Jacob Fearnley’s US Open run also came to an end after a valiant effort that saw him battle back from a 5‑2 deficit in the fourth set against Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry. The Edinburgh native had entered the main draw as a lucky loser after falling in qualifying, but his fight was halted by a 6‑3, 6‑3, 3‑6, 6‑3 defeat, ending any hopes of a third‑round appearance. German‑born British player Jan Choinski, another tall contender, survived to the tournament’s fourth day but ultimately fell in the first round to Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp.
The match, a three‑set affair ending 6‑3, 6‑1, 7‑6(5), lasted just under two hours and highlighted Choinski’s powerful serve, which was neutralized by van de Zandschulp’s aggressive return game. Choinski’s girlfriend and coach, Sophia, was a vocal presence in his box, offering encouragement throughout the contest.
"She always tries to help me, tries to keep me positive," Choinski said post‑match. "In the first set it was quite good, I had some chances but from that point it got tough. The guy was playing aggressively and she just keeps me fighting and motivated.
But in a match like that it’s quite tough." In a separate development, Britain’s top male player, Arthur Fery, announced a partnership with fellow Brit Joshua Paris for the men’s doubles draw, adding another British storyline to the US Open narrative. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports daily until September 13, with streaming options available on NOW without a contract and via the Sky Sports app for those who prefer to watch on mobile devices. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming Laver Cup, scheduled to take place at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will also be shown on Sky Sports.