Katie Boulter sees off Zakharova to reach Hong Kong semi-finals

Katie Boulter maintained her impressive form to reach the Hong Kong Open semi-finals after beating Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets.

Boulter edged a hard-fought opening set against an inspired opponent, who was playing to a standard above her world ranking of No 113. The British No 1 was able to run away with the second set to win 6-4, 6-0. She faces Yuan Yue in the last four after the tournament’s sixth seed overcame Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-3.

Zakharova matched Boulter, the No 2 seed in Hong Kong, for most of the opening set but the Briton was able to raise her level when it mattered. After holding serve with an ace to lead 5-4, Boulter sealed the first break of the match and took the set 6-4 after Zakharova hit a forehand into the net.

Boulter was again under pressure in the opening game of the second set, but the world No 29 held her serve and then produced a fabulous volley on break point to move into a 2-0 lead, taking control of the match.

A second break courtesy of a stunning cross-court forehand as Boulter cruised into a 4-0 lead. After holding serve once more, she broke Zakharova for a third time to wrap up victory in an hour and 16 minutes. Victory means Boulter climbs two places to a career-high 27th in the provisional WTA rankings.

“First set, I think I was on another planet,” Boulter said of her slow start. “She [Zakharova] was playing some really good tennis. I felt like at 5-4 I started to pick myself up a bit more. I played some pretty good stuff after that.”

Boulter faced China’s Yue in the first round of the Australian Open in January, winning 7-5, 7-6 (1). “That was an absolute battle, I thought we played a really good match and there wasn’t much in it,” Boulter told Sky Sports.

“Tomorrow’s going to be really tough, I’ve watched a lot of her matches this week, and I’m sure she’s been watching my games,” she added. “It’s the end of the year, I’m still smiling and still having fun.”

On the other side of the draw, No 1 seed Diana Shnaider faces Suzan Lemens, and third seed Leylah Fernandez takes on Bernarda Pera in the quarter-finals.