Katie Boulter units up assembly with Aryna Sabalenka at China Open whereas Iga Swiatek not targeted on chasing No 1 spot | Tennis Information

Britain’s Katie Boulter arrange a mouth-watering conflict with high seed Aryna Sabalenka on the China Open, whereas Iga Swiatek admits shedding the No 1 rating felt like a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Boulter continued her glorious kind by coming by way of qualifying in Beijing after which defeating Magdalena Frech 6-4 3-6 6-2 to arrange a round-of-32 assembly with top-ranked Sabalenka on Tuesday.

Sabalenka outclassed Sofia Kenin 6-1 6-2 in her first match as the ladies’s world No 1.

On the lads’s aspect, Carlos Alcaraz booked his place within the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-2 win over Italian Lorenzo Musetti for his sixtieth victory of the yr.

“Right this moment was an ideal match for me,” mentioned Alcaraz, who’s making his debut in Beijing. “You possibly can enhance and be higher every single day however I used to be pleased with my tennis taking part in this stage.

“I performed prime quality, nice pictures and an important return sport. It was an important match. I loved taking part in at this time. I get pleasure from China.”

Up subsequent for the Spaniard is seventh seed Casper Ruud, who edged Tomas Martin Etcheverry 1-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7).

In the meantime, Swiatek, who received the French Open for a 3rd time earlier this yr, plans to give attention to bettering her sport and never merely chasing factors through the residence stretch of the season.

The 22-year-old from Poland inherited high spot following Ashleigh Barty’s retirement final April and launched into an excellent run of kind within the months that adopted to assert three extra Grand Slam titles after her breakthrough success at Roland Garros in 2020.

Her outstanding consistency meant she spent 75 weeks on the peak, however a fourth-round defeat on the US Open final month meant Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka lastly leapfrogged her.

“I feel it’s kind of simpler to come back again to the mindset of chasing any individual as a result of that is what we have been doing our entire lives,” Swiatek mentioned.

“There’s just one one that’s at primary. I feel this was tougher to get used to final season. However truthfully, it does not actually matter for me as a result of after the US Open, I knew I used to be going to drop to second place.

“I finished excited about rankings as a result of I felt like there’s some baggage off my shoulders. I might focus extra on simply working and getting again to the extra peaceable and regular rhythm of practising.”

Swiatek is in no rush to reclaim the highest rating and mentioned she needed to develop as a participant within the coming months.

“It is totally different since you’re simply specializing in the long run, not on defending one thing,” Swiatek mentioned. “I am utilizing that. However general I am additionally nervous that it is the final tournaments of the season, so I am not going to be 100 per cent recent.

“My important aim is to do some stuff in a different way on court docket when it comes to the method and ways, to develop as a participant, probably not chase factors or rankings.”

Flawless Kudermetova dismantles Pegula to assert Tokyo title

Veronika Kudermetova claimed her first title of the season and second general with a complete 7-5 6-1 win over world No 4 Jessica Pegula within the Pan Pacific Open closing in Tokyo.

“I am actually completely satisfied about my efficiency at this time. It is my second title and I am pleased with myself,” mentioned Kudermetova, whose earlier title was additionally a WTA 500 crown at Charleston in 2021.

“I ready myself for a troublesome match as Jessica is a superb participant and an important fighter… It is at all times good whenever you win a giant match.”

Pegula won’t be too disenchanted, nevertheless, as her deep run will assist her take an enormous step in direction of securing a spot within the season-ending WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico.

She is ready to hitch Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina who’ve all certified for the season finale that begins later this month.

Prime-seeded Ons Jabeur received her fifth profession title on the Ningbo Open with a 6-2 6-1 victory over teenager Diana Shnaider.

“I felt tactically I performed very properly, I had a bonus in that I had extra expertise than her to handle sure factors,” Jabeur mentioned.

“Taking part in a closing right here is extra relaxed than taking part in a Grand Slam closing, however I feel it can assist me achieve confidence extra, and to assist me handle the stress and stress.”

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