Britain’s Katie Boulter reached her first WTA 500 ultimate by beating American Emma Navarro in straight units on the San Diego Open.
Boulter, 27, gained 6-3 6-1 in 74 minutes to succeed in Sunday’s ultimate and can face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who received previous American Jessica Pegula 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.
The British primary and world quantity 49 dominated on her serve, successful greater than 87% of first-serve factors.
She had simply two break factors in opposition to her serve, saving each.
Boulter additionally needed to take care of a rain delay earlier than she might overcome the third seed, the world quantity 26.
“Right now was a type of matches the place every part simply clicks,” she mentioned.
“I got here on the court docket and began the primary few video games and I might really feel the facility that she had and the best way she works and manoeuvres the ball. I knew I needed to provide you with one thing higher.”
WTA 500 occasions are so-called as they provide 500 rating factors to the winner. Boulter, who will attain her highest profession rating because of her performances in California, gained her sole WTA Tour title so far final yr on the Nottingham Open, a WTA 250 occasion.
For comparability, a Grand Slam champion will get 2,000 rating factors, and WTA Finals winners can earn as much as 1,500 factors.
Sunday’s ultimate would be the first profession assembly between Boulter and Kostyuk, who got here again from 5-1 down within the opening set to earn victory over high seed Pegula, her first win in opposition to a top-five participant.