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Katie Boulter crashes out of US Open after Muchova rout
Katie Boulter returns the ball to Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic during the second round of the US Open tennis championships in New York, September 2, 2026

KATIE BOULTER suffered a New York nightmare after she was upgraded to the prestigious Louis Armstrong Stadium due to heavy rain at the US Open.

With the weather threatening to play havoc with the schedule for a second day running, Boulter and Karolina Muchova’s second-round clash was moved under the roof of the stadium named after the famous jazz musician.

And the British number one did not have “All The Time In The World” as she was thrashed 6-1 6-0 in less than an hour in her worst defeat at a grand slam.

Boulter, 30, actually started well, picking up a break of serve in Muchova’s first service game and forcing another break point in her second.

But Muchova, runner-up at this year’s Wimbledon, began to exert control while Boulter did not win another game.

She lost seven service games out of seven, hit 21 unforced errors and just four winners in a horror 58-minute drubbing.

“Ultimately, it was a bad day at the office – times two,” said Boulter.

“I struggled with the conditions. I struggled with the roof, the noise, I let things distract me.

“I let it get to me. I’m not usually aware of everything going on. It made me feel a little bit uncomfortable. I have to deal with it better.”

Fran Jones got a win on the board for the Brits in her rain interrupted first-round match against Magda Linette despite a terrible start when play resumed.

She said: “I don’t want to go OTT, the tournament is still going on. Today’s more about relief. I’m glad that’s over.”

Britain’s Jan Choinski made it to day four at the US Open, but was still a first-round casualty.

The towering German-born 30-year-old was beaten in straight sets by fellow beanpole, Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

Getting to the first Wednesday at Flushing Meadows is usually a notable achievement for a British player.

But Choinski’s stay at the tournament was only extended after his first-round match was pushed back by the rain in New York.

A handful of players were already through to round three by the time Choinski took to the court, but he was soundly beaten in the big-serving battle 6-3 6-1 7-6 (5) in just under two hours.

Choinski is coached by his girlfriend Sophia, who was shouting encouragement from his players’ box.

He said: “She always tries to help me, tries to keep me positive, for sure.

“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.”

Jacob Fearnley finally ran out of lives against Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The 25-year-old from Edinburgh had been beaten in qualifying, got a reprieve as a lucky loser, and was then 5-2 down in the fourth set against Martin Landaluce in round one before wriggling out of danger.

However, there will be no third chance for Fearnley after a 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3 defeat.

Toby Samuel, the big-serving 23-year-old dubbed the “Winchester Rifle,” ran out of bullets against Jiri Lehecka.

Samuel came through qualifying to reach round two on his US Open debut, but he ran into the Czech 18th seed and was beaten 6-4 6-2 6-4.

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