Queen’s 2025: Katie Boulter exits and loses British number one spot

Boulter, bidding to reach a seventh quarter-final on grass, had expressed concern about her serve earlier in the week, suggesting she would be working on it in the build-up to this match.

But no such troubles were apparent in the opening set against Shnaider as Boulter continually caused problems behind her first serve.

Having saved a break point then secured an impressive break to love with a crowd-pleasing volley, Boulter battled to consolidate with an important hold, saving another break point along the way.

She then took the double break with a sweeping forehand before more solid serving handed Boulter the opening set as rain threatened to come down in west London.

But by the time the umpire suspended play because of a downpour, Boulter was down a break at 4-1 and in trouble on serve again.

After a 20-minute rain delay, she returned to be broken for a second time and, despite recovering one break, she could not prevent Shnaider from taking the second set and forcing a decider.

Boulter once again found herself under pressure in the opening game, wiping out three break points to secure the hold as problems on serve returned with a vengeance.

She saved more break points in her next service game only to double fault and concede the break.

From there, Boulter struggled to regroup and went a double break down.

She could not find a way back in her bid to book a fifth quarter-final in a WTA 500 event as Shnaider set up a meeting with American second seed and Australian Open champion Madison Keys.