Katie Boulter reaches Japan Open semi-finals and reclaims British top spot

Katie Boulter is back as the British number one in women's tennis after a hard-fought win at the Japan Open in Osaka.

Match Details

The eighth seed fought back from a set and a break down to defeat Antonia Ruzic 3-6 6-3 6-3 in the quarter-finals. Boulter struggled early on with her serve, hitting four double faults and facing seven break points in the opening stages. Ruzic took advantage to claim the first set, but Boulter turned the match around by stepping inside the baseline to pressure her opponent. The win took two hours and sends Boulter into her third WTA semi-final of the 2026 season.

Rankings Impact

Boulter had lost her top British ranking on Monday after Sonay Kartal reached the Wuhan final. By making the last four in Osaka, Boulter successfully overturned her 55-point deficit. When the WTA rankings update on Monday, she will climb back into the world's top 50, regardless of her next result.

Quotes and Next Match

After her win, Boulter praised Ruzic as a really good player and admitted she had to hang tough to find a way through. She will now face Czech player Katerina Siniakova for a place in the final. Boulter called her next opponent an extremely dangerous player and noted she will need to be well-prepared to get the first strike in.

Context

Tennis rankings are updated weekly on Mondays based on player performance across global tournaments. Regaining a top national ranking is a major goal for professional players as it often secures direct entry into major tournaments without needing to play qualifying rounds.