Katie Boulter made a strong start at the China Open on Wednesday, securing her place in the second round after a hard-fought three-set victory against Hailey Baptiste. Competing in the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, Boulter triumphed with a scoreline of 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. The absence of World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who opted out due to injury, has opened the draw for other contenders like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, both of whom are among the top seeds aiming for the title.
“I really needed that win,” Boulter reflected on her performance, acknowledging the battle she faced on the court. Although she faced difficulties after letting a considerable lead slip in the final set, she managed to regroup and ultimately close out the match. The victory marks a positive turning point for Boulter, who has been through a challenging period this season. She commented, “I’m really pleased with how I’m now putting myself out there and fighting for every point.”
As one of the 32 seeded players who received a first-round bye, Swiatek is the tournament’s top seed following her recent triumph at the WTA 500 event in Seoul. She is set to begin her campaign against either local favorite Yuan Yue or Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. Swiatek, aiming to reclaim the title she won last year, could face tough competition as she advances in the draw, potentially meeting the likes of Emma Navarro or Jessica Pegula in the subsequent rounds.
Defending champion Coco Gauff is also making her return to competitive action after a brief hiatus post-US Open. The World No. 3, who holds two major titles, will open against either Lucia Bronzetti or Kamilla Rakhimova. Gauff’s path could lead her to a challenging matchup against Leylah Fernandez in the third round and potentially a clash with eight seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the tournament continues to feature remarkable comebacks. Zheng Qinwen, returning from right elbow surgery, is the seventh seed and faces compatriot Wang Yafan in her opening match. The young talent will need to navigate through potential challenges in her section of the draw, with various rising stars also in play.
Other notable matches include former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari’s dramatic win over Ashlyn Krueger, lasting three hours and 29 minutes, making it one of the longest matches of the year. The Greek player expressed relief at the victory, emphasizing the importance of these types of encounters for her confidence and career.
As the competition heats up, the China Open is set to showcase thrilling encounters, with many top players looking to solidify their standings ahead of the end-of-season events. The combination of established champions and emerging talents ensures an exciting tournament atmosphere as fans remain eager to see who will come out on top.
