Katie Boulter beats Golubic in Hong Kong after second-set setback

Katie Boulter reached the last 16 of the Hong Kong Open with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Viktorija Golubic, recovering after twice failing to serve out the match. BBC Sport reported that the British number one was unsettled by a dispute over an outside noise before eventually securing a straight-sets win.

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The opening stages had also required a response from Boulter. According to Sky Sports, Golubic broke her early, but the eighth seed answered by winning eight consecutive games. That sequence gave Boulter the first set and an early advantage in the second, turning the match firmly in her favour.

Sky Sports reported that a passing winner helped Boulter establish a 4-1 second-set lead. She subsequently missed a match point on Golubic's serve. At 5-2, with Boulter serving for victory, a noise from outside the court prompted her to complain to the umpire when the point was not replayed.

Boulter lost that service game and was broken again on her next attempt to finish the contest. Golubic's recovery extended the second set to a tie-break, but the British player regained control there. She conceded only two points in the breaker to complete the win without needing a deciding set.

Speaking afterwards, Boulter acknowledged that she felt she should have finished the match earlier. In comments carried by BBC Sport, she said the umpiring judgement had affected her concentration more than it normally would. She linked her reaction to tiredness late in the season, while describing the experience as a lesson after managing to advance.

The result was Boulter's fourth victory in five matches, Sky Sports reported. Her recent Japan Open semi-final appearance had helped her reclaim the British number one ranking from Sonay Kartal, and she had also beaten Golubic during that run in Osaka. Boulter will face American Claire Liu next in Hong Kong.

Elsewhere at the tournament, BBC Sport reported that Venus Williams lost 6-2, 6-3 to Mary Stoiana. It was the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion's 17th successive singles defeat, with her last win dating to July 2025.