Katie Boulter secures career-high ranking after reaching her biggest final

Katie Boulter celebrates 2024

Katie Boulter has ensured she will climb to her highest WTA ranking position after earning a comfortable victory to reach the biggest final of her career in San Diego.

The 27-year-old cruised past world No 26 and third seed Emma Navarro with an impressive 6-3, 6-1 victory in the semi-finals of the WTA 500 tournament on Saturday.

Boulter broke the 22-year-old American twice in each set and saved the only two break points she faced on her serve in a dominant display.

The Brit has has also overcome Lesia Tsurenko, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Donna Vekic during her superb run. She has dropped just a single set, which was in her excellent second round win over world No 13 Haddad Maia.

Boulter will face 34th-ranked Marta Kostyuk in the final on Sunday after the 21-year-old Ukrainian upset top seed and world No 5 Jessica Pegula in the last four.

Reaching the final in San Diego means Boulter, who is currently ranked 49th, will break into the top 40 of the WTA Rankings for the first time. As it stands, Boulter is set to rise to 35th, but could break into the top 30 if she claims the title. Prior to this week, Boulter’s career-high ranking was world No 48.

In her on-court interview after beating Navarro, Boulter said: “When I saw the black (rain) cloud coming, I was starting to stress a little bit because it is never easy coming back after a rain delay.

“I thought I was playing some really good tennis so I really didn’t want to stop but it is tennis and you have to deal with it. I thought I came out and played some really good stuff. I am starting to really like it here.

“I didn’t think I’d be in this position at the start of the week but I have been working so hard with my team, back home as well, just to be in this position. I am very grateful that has paid off. I will have an absolute battle again, so I am going to give it my all.”

Boulter reached her only previous final at the WTA 250 tournament in Nottingham last year, where she defeated Jodie Burrage in the final.

Alex de Minaur, the ATP world No 9 and Boulter’s boyfriend, revealed he would travel to San Diego to watch the Brit in the San Diego final after defending his title at the Mexican Open in Acapulco on Saturday.

When asked if he would attend the tournament party after winning the title, the Australian replied: “No, I cannot because I’ve got a 6am flight to go to Tijuana and go and watch Katie play in the final, so I’m looking forward to that.”