Katie Boulter's much-anticipated return to the tennis court was cut short at the Miami Open, where she faced a tough first-round defeat against Peyton Stearns. The British number one, who had been sidelined for two months due to a foot injury, struggled to find her rhythm against the in-form American.

Match Overview

Boulter, 28, was defeated in straight sets by Stearns, with the final scoreline reading 6-4, 6-2. This marked their third encounter, with Stearns maintaining her dominance over Boulter. The match saw Boulter broken three times consecutively in the first set, and despite a brief resurgence in the second set, Stearns quickly regained control to secure her victory.

Stearns' Perspective

"Katie is a great player, it is always tough playing her," Stearns commented post-match. "I knew I had to stay on it and if I gave her anything she would take it." Stearns' next challenge will be against the 27th seed, Elise Mertens, in the second round.

Boulter's Road to Recovery

Boulter's journey back to the court has been fraught with challenges. After a promising run to the third round at Indian Wells earlier this month, her performance in Miami highlighted the difficulties of returning to top form after an injury layoff. Her focus will now likely shift to regaining match fitness and preparing for upcoming tournaments.

Looking Ahead

As Boulter continues her recovery, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how she bounces back from this setback. Meanwhile, Stearns' victory underscores her growing presence on the WTA tour, setting the stage for an intriguing second-round clash.