British primary Katie Boulter got here by way of a tricky check in opposition to Chinese language sixth seed Yue Yuan to win 6-2 5-7 6-2 and attain the ultimate of the Hong Kong Open.
Boulter will play both Russian prime seed Diana Shnaider or Canada’s defending champion Leylah Fernandez on Sunday as she bids for a 3rd WTA title of the 12 months.
The second seed, who’s at present twenty ninth on the earth however will transfer as much as at the least twenty third when the rankings are subsequent up to date, is aiming so as to add to earlier event victories in Nottingham and San Diego.
“I simply needed to complete my 12 months on a profession excessive, which is why immediately meant a lot to me,” mentioned Boulter, who reached her earlier finest rating of twenty seventh in March.
“I’ve really executed that, so I’ve bought nothing to lose tomorrow. I’m simply going to swing free and revel in it.”
Boulter, 28, edged a aggressive opening set and the 2 gamers shared 4 breaks of serve at first of the second earlier than 26-year-old Yuan broke her once more within the twelfth sport to drive a deciding set.
The Briton cranked up the depth within the opening sport of the ultimate set, clinching it with a forehand winner on her fourth break level, and stormed right into a 3-0 lead after Yuan served up a double fault to reward her the double break.
Boulter then confirmed actual grit to fend off Yuan in a marathon fourth sport earlier than closing out the set in opposition to the world quantity 45 together with her sixth ace of the match.
Whoever she faces within the closing will pose a tricky check – Boulter has by no means performed world quantity 14 Shnaider earlier than, whereas she misplaced her solely earlier encounter in opposition to Thirty second-ranked Fernandez.
