British tennis player Katie Boulter secured her first WTA 500 tournament victory by winning the San Diego Open final. She came back from a set down to defeat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in a thrilling final match.
Boulter's victory is a significant milestone as it guarantees her a spot in the top 30 of the WTA rankings for the first time. The 27-year-old has had a strong start to the 2024 season, and this win further solidifies her position as one of the rising stars in women's tennis.
In the final, Boulter faced a tough challenge from Kostyuk, the tournament's sixth seed. After a closely contested first set, Kostyuk took the lead by winning 7-5. However, Boulter quickly found her rhythm in the second set, dominating on her first serve to win 6-2 and level the match.
In the deciding third set, Boulter continued her strong performance, winning 6-2 to clinch the title. The victory was even more special as Boulter's boyfriend, tennis star Alex de Minaur, was in the stands to support her. De Minaur had scheduled an early-morning flight after winning the title in Acapulco to be there for Boulter's final match.
Boulter expressed her gratitude to De Minaur in her post-match comments, thanking him for his support and dedication. She also praised his commitment to be there for her despite his busy schedule.
Boulter's path to the final was impressive, as she defeated several top players, including Lesia Tsurenko, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Donna Vekic, and Emma Navarro. Her victory at the San Diego Open adds to her maiden championship win on grass in Nottingham last summer, further establishing her as a rising star in women's tennis.
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