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Katie Boulter’s season looks like it could be over as she retired in tears from the Hong Kong Open.
The British No3 was trailing Alexandra Eala 6-4, 2-1 when a leg injury forced her out.
She is due next week in Texas but must be a serious doubt after this and that leaves her in danger of dropping out of the top 100 - and out of the rankings cut for the Australian Open.
The 29-year-old had called a trainer after the third game of the second set in the hope of continuing but was unable to do so.
Boulter then burst into tears and was seen looking emotional when hugging Eala, the world number 51, after the match.
Eala said: 'I’m a little out of words. I think this time of the year is tough moments for a lot of players, physically and mentally, being the end of the season.
Katie Boulter broke down in tears after being forced to retire at the Hong Kong Open
Boulter was a set and 2-1 down against Alexandra Eala and called a trainer but could not continue
'So I hope that Katie can take this time to recover and just look back at her season proudly.'
Boulter, who finished runner-up at the Hong Kong Open last year, has struggled for form of late.
She was knocked out in the third round at the Toray Pan Pacific Open and in the second round at the Japan Open, and was also beaten in the first round at the US Open.
