Katie Boulter Eliminated by Sofia Kenin in Pan Pacific Open Semi-Finals

Katie Boulter's impressive run at the Tokyo Pan Pacific Open came to an end on Saturday as she fell to former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the semi-finals. Boulter, the British No. 1 and ninth seed, lost the match with a score of 6-4, 6-4.

Despite an early exit at the US Open, Boulter had regained her momentum, showcasing strong performances throughout the tournament, including a commanding victory over former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. However, she struggled against Kenin, who broke her serve twice in the first set. Boulter managed to break back once, but Kenin ultimately secured the set on her second attempt after saving three set points on Boulter's serve.

In the second set, Boulter faced challenges in converting four break point opportunities against Kenin. After failing to capitalize, she lost her serve in the following game, allowing Kenin to maintain a crucial break advantage. Kenin then sealed the match on her first match point.

This victory marks Kenin's first final appearance since San Diego last year, and she has not won a title since her triumph at the Lyon Open in 2020, the same year she clinched her maiden Grand Slam title in Australia. Kenin's resurgence in form has been notable, as she began to find her rhythm in the latter part of the season, achieving her first back-to-back wins in Rome and the French Open, and now in Tokyo.

Boulter's strong performance in Tokyo, despite the defeat, indicates a promising future as she continues to build her form in the WTA circuit.