After defeating Poland’s Magdalena Frech in a straight-set match hindered by rain, defending champion Katie Boulter advanced to the Nottingham Open semi-finals. In a span of 83 minutes, the British player prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in the centre court match.

Highlights of the game 

Before the rain started to fall in the opening set, Boulter came within one point of breaking the serve twice. After the break, the top-ranked British player came back to the court and won the following two games to take the opening set. 

Fifth seed Frech jumped out to a two-game lead in the second set by taking advantage of Boulter being distracted. However, Boulter recovered and won four straight games to seize control of the second set and ultimately serve out the match.

With her win, Boulter admitted: “I’m slowly building momentum and really glad to get through today… It’s absolutely awesome to see a lot of Brits doing well. We are in a really good place.”

Boulter will go against the winner of the all-British quarter-final between Fran Jones and Emma Raducanu, which was postponed due to inclement weather.

In other news, former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) In three sets in the Libema Open quarter-finals, 

Source: BBC

Leading British player Katie Boulter defeated Wang Xiyu of China in straight sets to advance to the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals. 

In a span of two hours and fifteen minutes, the 28-year-old athlete won 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 in an attempt to achieve her third title of the year. After a highly competitive first set which Boulter won with a tie-break, she also defeated the world number 100 with ease at the end of the second set.

After her victory, Boulter said: “That was quite the match. Wang is an incredible opponent and she never lets up. She is so talented and full credit to her.” 

“She made me work very hard today and she’s got a bright future ahead of her, that’s for sure,” the athlete added. 

In a social media post, Boulter stated: “Last tournament of the year couldn’t have gone to a better one. Thanks for looking after us above and beyond 🫶🏻 @hk_tennisopen Onto the next round see you out there tomorrow 💪”

 

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Boulter, currently ranked 29th in the world, attained her first WTA 500 trophy last March in San Diego. She then defended her title last June at the Nottingham Open. She is now preparing to face either Varvara Gracheva or Anastasia Zakharova for a place in the semi-finals of the event.

Source: BBC

In the Hong Kong Open final, Russian top player Diana Shnaider easily defeated British number one Katie Boulter in straight sets. 

In a match lasting one hour and eleven minutes, Boulter lost 6-1, 6-2 against the world number 14. She was then on the run for her third WTA win of the year. 

Regardless of her loss, Boulter will still make her debut appearance in the world’s top 25 after a successful season ending. 

Boulter said: “Massive congratulations to Diana, her family and her team. What an incredible week and incredible season… “You absolutely killed me out there today, but I will get you next time.” 

“A massive thank you to my team. You push me every day to try to be better and I am sure I will be back. What a season we have had,” she added. 

With victories in Thailand, Hungary, and Germany, Shnaider has advanced to the WTA finals four times this season. The athlete stated: “It feels amazing… I hope I can keep going like this every season.” 

“I will keep working. I am very happy to win the last tournament of the season with my family here. The whole week has been enjoyable and memorable,” she said. 

Source: BBC

Katie Boulter did her best to defeat Olivia Gadecki of Australia in straight sets to ensure that Great Britain advances to the United Cup quarter-finals. 

The athlete secured the qualification in the opening match of the tie, defeating the Australian 6-2 6-1 in 70 minutes. 

Australia went on to win the remaining two matches afterwards. 

Boulter’s fiance, Alex de Minaur, won against Britain’s Billy Harris 6-2 6-1. He then teamed up with Gadecki in the mixed doubles category and defeated Britain’s Charles Broom and Olivia Nicholls  6-3 7-6 (7-3) .

However, Britain had beaten Argentina 2-1 in their opening tie in the tournament, and while all three teams in the group finished with the same points, Britain advanced to the final eight because they had won the most sets.

Boulter said: “I’ve been trying to avoid all the stats on all this but we were at dinner with [former British number one] Laura Robson last night, and she thankfully told me I had to win in straight sets… So I was feeling the pressure from last night.”

In a social media post, Boulter shared photos of her United Cup match and remarked: “Happy first day of the year ☺️”

 

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Source: BBC

Katie Boulter lost her chance to win her third title after being defeated by Sofia Kenin in straight sets in the Japan Open semi-finals. 

Boulter, who is currently ranked No. 33 in the world, will still enter the top 30 despite losing to the former Australian Open champion with a performance record of 6-4 6-4 in 90 minutes. 

Highlights of the match

In the first set, British Boulter’s serve was broken twice, but she recovered one time when the American wildcard serve ended the set. However, the momentum swing was only temporary as Kenin made her score. 

Boulter fought back in the second set, putting more pressure on her opponent at 3-3 and attempting four break-points but failing to convert any of them. Kenin broke in the nex game to take a 4-3 lead and served it out to go to the final. 

Despite losing in the semi-finals, Boulter can still look back on her Japan Open experience with pride as she arrived in Tokyo without consecutive wins since the Toronto Masters in August.

After winning just three games in eight tournaments since Wimbledon began and with a dismal 37.5% win/loss percentage for the 2024 season, Kenin views her success in Tokyo as a welcome return to form.

Source: Eurosport