\n<\/p>\n
They were outclassed in the first set as Ukraine’s Kichenok and New Zealand’s Routliffe, who have won three Grand Slam doubles titles between them, raced to a 4-1 lead before taking the set with another break three games later.<\/p>\n
Raducanu and Boulter came from 4-1 down to level at 4-4 in the second set.<\/p>\n
Their best chance to turn the match around came in the following game, but they failed to convert four break points.<\/p>\n
Despite saving three match points three games later, they succumbed to defeat.<\/p>\n
Raducanu faces Rebecca Sramkova in the last 16 of the singles on Thursday and Boulter takes on fifth seed Diana Shnaider.<\/p>\n
Raducanu can replace Boulter as British number one if she equals Boulter’s results at Queen’s, which is hosting a women’s tournament for the first time in 52 years.<\/p>\n
Boulter has held the position for two years since she took over when 2021 US Open champion Raducanu slipped down the rankings following injury and inconsistent form.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n