by Katie Boulter was beaten in the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open by former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin after a strong run on her debut in Tokyo.
The British number one and number nine was in confident form and regained some momentum after an earlier-than-expected exit from the US Open, but lost to Kenin 6-4, 6-4.
The Brit hadn’t won a second time since Toronto, but got off to a strong start in Tokyo, including a confident win over former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
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Highlights of the Pan Pacific Open match between Katie Boutler and Bianca Andreescu
Boulter was broken twice in a row by Kenin and although she managed to get one of the breaks back, the American ended the first set on her second attempt after giving up three set points on Boulter’s serve.
Boulter had no luck as she looked to capitalize on four break chances against Kenin midway through the second set and lost her own serve in the next game, leaving Kenin to retain a single break advantage and seal the game on her first match point.
Kenin’s season only began midway through the season with her first back-to-back wins in Rome, then the French Open and most recently Tokyo.
She reached her first final since San Diego last year and last won a title in 2020 (Lyon) – the same year she won her first Grand Slam title in Australia.
However, later on Saturday, Kenin was eliminated in the semifinals of the women’s doubles, where she was paired with Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Laura Siegemund and Ena Shibahara led 5-2, while Kenin was unable to continue the game and appeared visibly upset.
Kenin will face top seed Zheng Qinwen in the final after the recent Olympic champion and Wuhan finalist defeated Diana Shnaider 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
What can you expect from Sky Sports Tennis?
- Erste Bank Open, Vienna – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Swiss Indoors, 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)
- Jiangxi Open – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Merida Open Akron – WTA 250 (October 28th – November 3rd)
- Rolex Paris Masters – ATP 1000 (October 28th – November 3rd)
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