Katie Boulter reaches Hong Kong Open final, defeating Yue Yuan

Posted : 02 November 2024

British No. 1 Katie Boulter has a fantastic opportunity to secure her third title of the season after winning her semi-final match at the Hong Kong Open against Yue Yuan. With this victory, Boulter has achieved a new career-high ranking of 23rd in the world. Following her semi-final success, she expressed her intention to "swing free" in the final, feeling that she had accomplished her main goal during the Asian hard-court swing of climbing the WTA Tour rankings.

Boulter expressed her excitement about capping off her impressive 2024 season at a personal best ranking after her Saturday win over Yuan. Regardless of the outcome in the final, she has reason to celebrate her progress this year. In a hard-fought battle, she defeated Yuan with a score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, a rematch from their earlier encounter at the Australian Open. Boulter praised Yuan's competitiveness, stating, "That was an unbelievable match; she makes it so hard to win any point at any point in the match."

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Despite feeling a bit tired and grumpy post-match, Boulter was satisfied with her performance. "I'm super excited just to have a go [in the final]," she shared. She emphasized the importance of finishing the year on a high note, which made her semi-final victory particularly meaningful. With her main goal achieved, she feels she has nothing to lose going into the final, allowing her to play freely and enjoy the moment.

In the final, Boulter will face the winner of the second semi-final between top seed Diana Shnaider and former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. She acknowledged the quality of her potential opponents, stating, "Both incredible players, both have had an amazing season; it's going to be a really high-quality match."

Having already won titles in San Diego and Nottingham earlier this season, Boulter has the chance to cap off her remarkable year with a fourth career title. The semi-final against Yuan was a test of endurance, lasting two hours and 34 minutes. Yuan took the second set in a marathon battle, pushing Boulter to a decisive third set. However, Boulter quickly established a 5-1 lead in the final set and, despite Yuan's efforts to mount a comeback, she clinched victory with an ace.

Boulter's performance was marked by a higher number of winners and fewer unforced errors throughout the match, earning her warm applause from the supportive Hong Kong crowd. She expressed her gratitude to the fans, saying, "I'd be here forever if I was going to thank each and every one of you, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart: you've been getting me through this week."

Acknowledging the competition, Boulter encouraged the audience to continue their support, recognizing the presence of home favorites in the tournament. "Thank you so much for coming out and supporting such an amazing tournament and me as well," she concluded, leaving fans eager for the exciting final ahead.

Katie Boulter reaches Hong Kong Open final, defeating Yue Yuan

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