Unseeded Katie Boulter tops Marta Kostyuk to win San Diego Open\u060c<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO \u2014 Unseeded Englishwoman Katie Boulter capped a series of upsets to win the San Diego Open singles title with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory over the Ukrainian Sixth seed Marta Kostyuk on Sunday.<\/p>\n
A 10-year tour veteran, Boulter, 27, won her second professional singles title with her fifth straight victory against higher-ranked players at the week-long WTA 500 event.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t stop smiling,\u201d Boulter said. \u201cI\u2019ve wanted this my whole career and now I have to move my goals and keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
As darkness fell early in the match \u2013 delayed twice by intermittent showers \u2013 both players appeared to struggle to adjust to the unseasonably cool, windy and drizzly conditions with temperatures in the mid-50s.<\/p>\n
In her debut at the San Diego Open, Boulter shook off a wave of unforced errors early in the first set, initially troubled by Kostyuk's speed and athleticism. But showing signs of resilience that would later stand him in good stead, Boulter overcame five set points before sending an errant forehand over the baseline to fall 7-5.<\/p>\n
Undeterred, Boulter found his rhythm en route to victory in the second set, marked by furious backcourt exchanges.<\/p>\n
About 30 minutes later, Boulter was serving for the match at 5-2 when she hit a crosscourt forehand just out of Kostyuk's reach to give her the title.<\/p>\n