Katie Boulter has had a successful season, claiming titles in both San Diego and Nottingham. The British player faced Japan’s Aoi Ito in the first round of the Hong Kong Open, where she won decisively with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This year marks a significant milestone for Boulter, as she reached a career-high ranking of 27 and secured two WTA Tour championships.

After her match, the 28-year-old expressed gratitude to the audience for their encouragement, admitting she needed an extra boost following her semi-final appearance in Tokyo just three days prior. She acknowledged the challenges of competing at the end of a long season, stating her intention to push both her physical limits and mental strength.

Boulter is now set to compete against Wang Xiyu from China for a spot in the quarter-finals. In contrast, fellow British player Heather Watson faced a tougher challenge, losing to Leylah Fernandez, the runner-up of the 2021 US Open, with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Jack Draper is gearing up to start his campaign at the Paris Masters against Jiri Lehecka. This follows his recent victory in Vienna, which marked his most significant achievement to date. However, world number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to illness. The Italian player reported that he contracted a virus after arriving in Paris for practice.

Sinner expressed his disappointment about not being able to compete but remains optimistic about recovering in time for the ATP Finals scheduled to take place in Turin from November 13 to 20. As Draper aims to make an impression among the world’s elite players following his key win, Sinner’s absence leaves an opening in the tournament.

In summary, Boulter continues to shine on the court while Draper seeks to capitalize on his recent success. Sinner’s withdrawal adds an unexpected twist to the competition landscape as players prepare for crucial matches leading into the season’s final events.