Katie Boulter sees off Zakharova to reach Hong Kong semi-finals

• Boulter shakes off slow start to win 6-4, 6-0
• British No 1 faces China’s Yuan Yue in last four

Katie Boulter maintained her impressive form to reach the Hong Kong Open semi-finals after beating Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets.

Boulter edged a hard-fought opening set against an inspired opponent, who was playing to a standard above her world ranking of No 113. The British No 1 was able to run away with the second set to win 6-4, 6-0. She faces Yuan Yue in the last four after the tournament’s sixth seed overcame Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-3.