Boulter completes rain-interrupted win over Sakatsume at Japan Open

Katie Boulter beat Himeno Sakatsume in a rain-interrupted first-round match at the Japan Open in Osaka, with play suspended on Monday and the victory finished on Tuesday; the British player won 6-3 6-1 and is 58th in the women's rankings.

Boulter had already taken the opening set and led 3-1 when play was halted because of bad weather in Osaka on Monday, before returning the following day to close out the match. The 30-year-old secured the straight-sets victory without requiring a deciding set.

Boulter converted five of nine break-point opportunities during the match; Sakatsume, who entered as a wild card and was the home favourite, managed only one break despite Boulter facing 13 break points. Those numbers underpinned the scoreline and the manner of the win.

"Yesterday was a tough spot to end at," said Boulter, who will play Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland in the second round. "I wanted to play last night and continue but with the rain, unfortunately, that wasn't possible.

"It meant that I had to have the same mindset again today and just try to get over the line and focus on getting through the match. "I think I did that. I didn't want to be out here playing a third set so I'm pleased with today."

Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Ningbo Open with a thigh injury, the world number nine's withdrawal representing a setback for her hopes of reaching the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. The WTA Finals, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the year, will take place from 8-15 November.