Katie Boulter stormed into the quarter-finals of the Japan Open on Wednesday, crushing Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-1 in a match that lasted less than an hour in Osaka.
Katie Boulter in action (Credits: BBC Sport)
The British number two saved a break point in the opening game, then took complete control from 2-2 in the first set. Boulter ripped through nine games in a row before Golubic finally managed to hold serve in the penultimate game of the match.
Battle for British No. 1
The timing could not be better. The 30-year-old lost the British number one spot to Sonay Kartal on Monday, but her run this week in Osaka is set to reclaim the top domestic ranking.
Seeded eighth at the Japan Open, Boulter will now face either Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic or American Kayla Day in the quarter-finals.
Staying Patient in the Wind
Boulter was particularly pleased with how she handled the tough playing conditions, with a strong wind sweeping across the court in Osaka.
“I think one of the biggest things for me is staying patient in the wind,” she said. “Sometimes I can get a little frustrated, and I’m very pleased that I didn’t allow that to affect me today and I think I ended up playing some really good tennis in the second set. I’m really pleased with the performance.”
It was a ruthless display from Boulter, who continues to build momentum at the perfect time of the season.
Also Read: Sonay Kartal’s Remarkable Comeback: From Bedridden to British No. 1 in Just 10 Matches
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
