\n<\/p>\n
After a difficult 2025, Boulter was desperate to close the door on what she deemed an annus horribilis.<\/p>\n
Starting afresh in 2026 was the plan and appointing a new coach in Michael Joyce, who helped Maria Sharapova win Grand Slam titles, was part of the process.<\/p>\n
Powerful baseliner Boulter has made a productive start with a series of victories against players ranked outside the top 60, but there are still flaws with her service game which need to be ironed out.<\/p>\n
A low first-serve percentage against Osorio meant she had to save four break points to maintain her lead, although she was able to take advantage of the Colombian’s own issues by pummelling her second serve.<\/p>\n
The slower conditions in Merida are not really conducive to Boulter’s game – particularly her having come from the quicker indoor courts in Ostrava.<\/p>\n
Adjusting is something which Boulter finds difficult, so she took heart from a more fluent returning game against Osorio.<\/p>\n
But she knows further improvement will be required to continue her recent run, particularly if two-time Grand Slam finalist Paolini, whose shot-making and athleticism has proved difficult for Boulter to handle in the past, is her quarter-final opponent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n