Boulter Fights Back Past Ruzic Into Osaka Semis, Reclaims British No. 1

Katie Boulter recovered from a set down to beat Antonia Ruzic and reach the Japan Open semifinals, a run that puts her back on top of the British rankings.

Boulter Fights Back Past Ruzic Into Osaka Semis, Reclaims British No. 1

Katie Boulter is back as British number one after fighting her way into the semifinals of the Japan Open in Osaka.

The world No. 58 was given a stern test by Croatia's Antonia Ruzic in Thursday's quarterfinal. Boulter dropped the opening set as Ruzic swung freely, but the Briton hung tough, finding her range in the second to level the match.

Boulter then seized control early in the decider, winning three games in a row to open the third set. She had to survive a late break back from Ruzic but closed out the final set 6-3 to book her place in the last four — her first WTA Tour semifinal in four months.

"This is a really, really good player," Boulter said of Ruzic courtside on Sky Sports. "She was swinging at everything hard... in the end I felt like I did well to stay there."

Boulter will face Czech Katerina Siniakova in Saturday's semifinal. The victory also moves her back above her domestic rivals to reclaim the British No. 1 spot.