British tennis star Katie Boulter's quest for a third title of the year came to a disappointing end in the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The 28-year-old was defeated in straight sets by American wildcard Sofia Kenin, the former world number four, in a hard-fought battle that lasted over 90 minutes.

A Valiant Effort, but Kenin Proves Too Strong

Boulter's Promising Start Undone by Kenin's Resilience

Boulter had been aiming to continue her impressive run of form and secure a spot in the final of the prestigious Pan Pacific Open. The British number one had been in fine form throughout the tournament, showcasing her powerful groundstrokes and impressive court coverage. However, she was unable to overcome the challenge posed by the experienced Kenin, who demonstrated her own formidable skills and mental fortitude.The opening set saw Boulter struggle to find her rhythm, as Kenin broke her serve twice to take a commanding lead. Despite Boulter's best efforts to claw her way back into the set, the former Australian Open champion held firm and closed out the opener 6-4.

Boulter Fights Back, but Kenin Holds Firm

Undeterred, Boulter came out firing in the second set, determined to level the match and force a decider. She had several opportunities to break Kenin's serve, but the American proved resilient, saving four crucial break points in the sixth game to hold and make it 3-3.Kenin then seized the initiative, breaking Boulter's serve in the following game to take a 4-3 lead. From that point on, the 24-year-old maintained her advantage, closing out the set 6-4 and booking her place in the final.

Zheng Awaits in the Final

Kenin's victory sets up a tantalizing final showdown with top seed Zheng Qinwen of China. The Olympic champion defeated sixth seed Diana Shnaider of Russia in straight sets to reach her second final of the Pan Pacific Open, having lost to Liudmila Samsonova in the 2022 edition.Zheng, who is currently ranked 10th in the world, will be the favorite heading into the final, but Kenin's impressive run to this stage suggests that the match could be a closely contested affair. Both players will be eager to claim the prestigious title and continue their strong seasons on the WTA Tour.Despite the disappointment of her semi-final defeat, Boulter can take pride in her performance throughout the tournament. The Briton has shown that she is capable of competing at the highest level and will no doubt be determined to bounce back stronger in her next event.