Katie Boulter advanced to the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a straight-set win over Kyoka Okamura.
The world number 33 needed just 69 minutes to secure a resounding 6-1, 6-2 win and set up a quarter-final against unseeded Canadian Bianca Andreescu.
Boutler immediately broke Okamura in the opening game and impressed with her serve in a dominant opening set. Here she capitalized on three break points to take the fifth and build a 4-1 advantage.
The ninth seed closed out the opening set in 28 minutes, broke Okamura in the sixth game to take the lead in the second set, before the British held serve and broke again in the next game to secure an impressive win. .
“I feel like I’m playing good tennis and trying to get through this,” Boulter said.
Boulter, who beat Priscilla Hon in the previous round, was set to face a rematch with Beatriz Haddad Maia, who beat her at the Ningbo Open last week, but the Brazilian won the final. He withdrew in the first set of the round of 16, allowing Andreescu. To advance to the final eight
“I mean, she (Andreescu) is obviously an amazing player,” Boulter added. “She won a Grand Slam. She’s playing really great tennis.
“I’m excited because there’s going to be a battle out there. It’s another opportunity. We’re in a free swing at the end of the year and have nothing to lose.”
Third seed Daria Kasatkina came back from a set down to beat American McCartney Kessler, while former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin needed a final set tie-break to see off Clara Tauson.
The winner of Friday’s quarterfinal match between Kenin and Castakina will face either Wolter or Andreescu in the semifinals, while the WTA 500 final is scheduled for Sunday and Sunday. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
What’s happening on Sky Sports Tennis?
- Erste Bank Open, Vienna – ATP 500 (21-27 October)
- Swiss Indoor, Basel – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Guangzhou Open, China – WTA 250 (October 21-27)
- Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo – WTA 500 (October 21-27)
- Hong Kong Tennis Open – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Long Open – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Merida Open Akron – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Rolex Paris Masters – ATP 1000 (October 28 – November 3)
Sky Sports shows live coverage of ATP and WTA tennis tournaments all year round. Get instant access to live tennis and more sports with NOW.
