Katie Boulter will break into the world’s top 25 for the first time after reaching her third WTA Tour final of the season at the Hong Kong Tennis Open.
The British No 1 battled to a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory over China’s Yuan Yue, which guaranteed she will climb to at least 23rd in the rankings on Monday.
Boulter has already won titles in San Diego and Nottingham this year and will hope to maintain her record of never having lost a tour-level final when she takes on either Leylah Fernandez or Diana Shnaider on Sunday.
“That was an unbelievable match,” said Boulter in her on-court interview after wiping away a few tears. “She makes it so hard. I just had to keep believing, keep fighting and try and find a way through. I’m a little grumpy today, I’m a little tired, but I managed to find a way so I’m really happy with that.
“I’m super excited just to have a go [in the final]. I wanted to finish my year on a career high, which is why today meant so much to me. I’ve got nothing to lose tomorrow and I’m just going to swing free and enjoy it for me.”
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Boulter made the perfect start, winning four games in a row to establish a dominant lead in the first set. She also led 3-1 in the second but errors began to creep in and the 28-year-old was pegged back before sixth seed Yuan broke serve to force a decider. But Boulter kept swinging and was not to be denied in the third set, opening up a 4-0 advantage and clinching her first match point with an ace.
