LIVE UPDATES. Katie Boulter stuns Rybakina to reach Queen’s semifinals

THE HSBC CHAMPIONSHIPS - LONDON DRAW AND RESULTS. Boulter upsets Cristian to square off with Elena Rybakina in the quarter

By
Luke Meyer
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Katie Boulter delivered one of the biggest wins of her career by defeating world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set battle at the HSBC Championships in London. The British wild card triumphed 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, securing her first semifinal appearance at Queen’s Club and her fifth career victory over a top 10 opponent. The home crowd witnessed some of her most aggressive and precise hitting, which proved decisive in the final stages.

The match breakdown

The opening set saw Boulter withstand heavy pressure, saving multiple break points before striking late to claim it 7-5. Rybakina responded strongly in the second, tightening her baseline game and forcing errors to level the contest 6-2. In the decider, however, Boulter’s resilience shone through. She produced clutch shots, including a forehand counter and a backhand down the line, to break at 4-4 and serve out the match with composure. The victory marked her first win over a top-three player.

Context and implications

Rybakina, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, had previously dominated their head-to-head encounters, winning comfortably in straight sets. This time, her inconsistency and fatigue opened the door for Boulter, who capitalized on the opportunity. The result also prevents Rybakina from overtaking Aryna Sabalenka in the race standings. Boulter now faces Donna Vekic in the semifinals, with both players eyeing a rare chance to reach the final.

With no top 15 players left in the tournament, the Queen’s Club semifinals promise fresh storylines and the possibility of breakthrough performances. Boulter’s triumph over Rybakina has already set the tone for a dramatic conclusion.

 

Tennis Scores in London

  • Kamilla RakhimovaRakhimova – Harriet DartDart (5-7 6-1 7-5)
  • Emma RaducanuRaducanu – Sorana CirsteaCirstea (6-4 6-2)
  • Katie BoulterBoulter – Jaqueline CristianCristian (6-1 6-3)
  • Elena RybakinaRybakina – Tatjana MariaMaria (6-74 7-5 6-0)
  • Kamilla RakhimovaRakhimova – Harriet DartDart (5-7 6-1 7-5)
  • Emma RaducanuRaducanu – Sorana CirsteaCirstea (6-4 6-2)
  • Donna VekicVekic – Marie BouzkovaBouzkova (7-69 6-3)
  • Karolina PliskovaPliskova – Victoria MbokoMboko (6-2 3-4 ret.)
  • Iva JovicJovic – Alexandra EalaEala (6-2 6-2)
  • Amanda AnisimovaAnisimova – Laura SiegemundSiegemund (6-1 6-3)

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