Katie Boulter still believes her grand slam breakthrough is coming (Image: Getty)
Katie Boulter insisted she will “one day” make her Grand Slam “breakthrough” after losing to world No.75 Veronika Kudermetova at the .
The British No.1 was caught cold 7-6 2-6 6-2 by the Russian on a chilly evening in Melbourne Park in another Major letdown.
The world No.27 has never reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam in 15 attempts – and has only won three matches in the last four Majors where she has been seeded.
In that run, Boulter has lost to world No.139 Paula Badosa, world No.100 Harriet Dart, world No.74 Jessica Bouzas Maniero and now former world No.9 Kudermetova.
Boulter played well at the United Cup but again failed to bring her best form to a Major.
“I want to have a run in a Grand Slam, but ultimately, I do feel like that will come,” she claimed. “It’s just a matter of time.
“I had a bad day at the office. It means I go back to work. I’ve got more to do. Just because I lost one tennis match does not mean my level has gone anywhere. I strongly feel that.
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“It’s about using the opportunities that I get. And hopefully one day, I will make that breakthrough that I want to break through in a Grand Slam, and I’m going to keep doing it until I get that moment.. I’m still new at this.
“I’m getting older, but I’m still new at this. She played a great match, as well. It’s not my moment today. I’ve got three more Grand Slams this year. I’ve got 50 more tournaments to play this year. I take it on the chin and I move on.”
American Danielle Collins cupped her ears and blew kisses to the rowdy crowd in the KIA Arena after knocking out Aussie qualifier 7-6 4-6 6-2.
needed a medical timeout for her asthma as the three-time Grand Slam finalist beat Colombian Maria Camila Osorio 7-5 6-3.
The Tunisian said: “It was very, very tough to breathe. If I had lost the first set, it would have been very difficult to continue.”