British number one Katie Boulter has advanced to the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto after Beatriz Haddad Maia was forced to retire due to a back injury.
Haddad Maia, who had endured a grueling first-round match against Marie Bouzkova lasting over three hours, required medical attention after just one game against Boulter. Despite receiving extensive treatment on her lower back, the Brazilian, ranked 33rd in the world, conceded the match after Boulter leveled the set at 1-1.
Boulter, who defeated Bernarda Pera in the opening round, now faces a formidable challenge in the next round against Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion. Sabalenka, the tournament’s number two seed, began her Toronto campaign with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over China’s Yuan Yue, following her absence from Wimbledon and the Olympics due to a shoulder injury.
In other action, top seed Coco Gauff cruised to a 6-4, 6-4 win over Wang Yafan in her second-round match on Thursday.
