Britain’s Katie Boulter is through to the last 16 of the Ningbo Open in China after beating Italy’s Sara Errani in straight sets 6-3 6-2.
In a match disrupted due to heavy rain, Boulter came out with the score level at 2-2 following a prolonged stoppage and proceeded to kick on and dominate, clinching the opening set 6-3.
The 28-year-old Briton then broke her Italian opponent early into the next set, consolidating with a hold of serve to move into a commanding 3-0 lead.
A second break of serve was soon forced by Boulter, moving her to 4-0, and though she was broken herself when serving for the set at 5-1, she broke straight back to wrap up the match.
Boulter will next face 28-year-old Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the quarter-finals.
Two of the top three seeds in Ningbo have already withdrawn out of the tournament in Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and the USA’s Emma Navarro.
Dart claims comeback win
Elsewhere, Boulter’s British compatriot Harriet Dart was successful as she came from behind to beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund and reach the last 16 of the Japan Women’s Open.
Having lost the first set 6-3, Dart showed heart and composure to win a tight second set 7-5, before she went on to clinch the third-set decider by the same score.
Dart will next face Denmark’s Clara Tauson – who knocked the 28-year-old Brit out in the first round of the China Open three weeks ago – for a place in the quarter-finals in Osaka.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in October?
- Almaty Open, Kazakhstan – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Stockholm Open, Sweden – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- European Open, Antwerp – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Japan Open, Osaka – WTA 250 (October 14-20)
- Ningbo Open, China – WTA 500 (October 14-20)
- 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)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TVstreaming service NOW and the Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
