Arabic version: بولتر تستعيد صدارة التصنيف البريطاني

According to BBC News, Katie Boulter has reclaimed the British number one ranking after battling past Antonia Ruzic to reach the Japan Open semi-finals in Osaka. The eighth seed recovered from a set and a break down to beat Croatia’s world number 91 3-6 6-3 6-3 in two hours.

The 30-year-old had been overtaken on Monday by Sonay Kartal, whose run to the Wuhan final put her 55 points ahead. Boulter knew that a place in the last four in Osaka would be enough to reverse that deficit. She will move above Kartal and return to the world’s top 50 when the WTA rankings are updated on Monday, regardless of her semi-final result.

Boulter will play Czech opponent Katerina Siniakova for a place in the final. It is Boulter’s first semi-final since Queen’s in June and her third WTA semi-final of the 2026 season. “She’s one hell of a player, extremely dangerous,” Boulter said of Siniakova. “It’s going to be who gets the first strike in.”

Against Ruzic, Boulter had early problems on serve, winning 60% of points behind her first delivery across the opening two sets, hitting four double faults and facing seven break points. Ruzic won the first set after immediately responding to Boulter’s break back at 4-2. Boulter then saved two break points in the third game of the second set and held in the seventh after three successive breaks.

That hold began a run of eight consecutive games for Boulter, who built a 4-0 lead in the deciding set. She was unable to serve out the match at 5-2, but broke Ruzic to love to seal the victory. “I tried to hang tough and find a way,” Boulter said. “I feel I did really well to stay there.”