Katie Boulter Advances at Merida Open as Camila Osorio Retires, Continues Seven-Match Run
katie boulter extended her winning streak to seven matches on the WTA Tour when Camila Osorio retired during their second-round meeting at the Merida Open. Boulter had taken the first set 6-3 before Osorio called for the physio and decided not to continue, handing Boulter passage to the quarter-finals.
Katie Boulter’s match and immediate aftermath
British number three and world number 69 Boulter, 29, moved through after a contest that ended when Osorio chose not to resume play following treatment. The match was cut short with Boulter already up a set, and she spoke courtside about the prevalence of injuries on the women’s tour, acknowledging the difficulty of such situations and wishing her opponent well.
Form, recent titles and coaching changes
Boulter has won four singles titles on the WTA Tour and claimed the Ostrava Open this month. After a difficult 2025 that she described as an annus horribilis, she began 2026 determined to reset, part of which included appointing Michael Joyce—who helped Maria Sharapova win Grand Slam titles—as her new coach. That combination of a fresh start and coaching change has coincided with a productive run of results, mainly against players ranked outside the top 60.
Service issues, on-court adjustments and match dynamics
Service remains an area for improvement. A low first-serve percentage in the Osorio match forced Boulter to save four break points to hold her lead, but she was able to attack Osorio’s second serve effectively. The slower playing conditions in Merida contrasted with the quicker indoor courts in Ostrava; adjusting to that change is something Boulter finds difficult, though she took encouragement from a more fluent returning performance against Osorio.
Path forward: quarter-final opponents and Indian Wells schedule
With the retirement victory, Boulter progresses to the last eight and will face either top seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy or Australia’s Priscilla Hon in the quarter-finals on Friday. Paolini is a two-time Grand Slam finalist whose shot-making and athleticism have posed challenges for Boulter in the past, meaning further improvements will be required if that matchup materializes.
Context from earlier rounds and immediate next steps
Earlier in the tournament Boulter had edged past Beatriz Haddad Maia in the opening round after overcoming issues with her serve. Looking ahead beyond Merida, the Indian Wells event is scheduled to begin on 4 March in California, and Boulter expressed hope that Osorio’s issue is minor so the Colombian might be fit for the next big tournament.
Overall, the win in Merida continues a positive sequence for Boulter while highlighting areas to refine: a stronger first serve, faster adaptation to different court speeds, and tactical adjustments for higher-ranked opponents. Her recent form and the coaching change underpin a forward-looking campaign that now shifts focus to a potentially stern quarter-final test and preparation for Indian Wells.
