British tennis player Katie Boulter has advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA 500 tournament in San Diego after defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekic in two sets. Boulter, who is currently the top-ranked British female player, continued her winning streak after eliminating second seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the previous round. She secured her spot in the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over last year’s runner-up.
After falling behind 3-1 in the opening set, Boulter dominated the remainder of the match, winning nine out of the next 10 games to secure another impressive win. With this triumph, she will achieve her highest-ever ranking and is close to breaking into the top 40.
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Vekic, seeded seventh, broke first in the opening set but then allowed Boulter to hit straight back after an error-strewn service game. Boulter then saved three break points to hold and grabbed a crucial second break for 5-4 before serving out the set.
Two stunning Boulter backhands brought the 27-year-old another break at the start of the second, and a subsequent break to love put her in complete control.
Boulter gave up one of Vekic’s breaks while serving for the set, but ultimately won the match in an hour and 36 minutes after hitting a powerful forehand on her first match point, in the midst of the longest rally of the game.
“It was a tough match in challenging conditions, it was difficult to establish a rhythm as we are both powerful hitters,” stated Boulter. “I managed to win the first set and played well in the second.”
Source: theguardian.com
