[Women’s Singles – First Round]
○ Katie Boulter def. Himeno Sakatsume 6-3, 6-1

■Sakatsume initially appeared to have the upper hand. However, she failed to capitalize on key points, including two break-point opportunities in Boulter’s service game at 2-1. Sakatsume then lost her own service games three consecutive times to concede the first set. Rain interrupted play midway through the second set, postponing the conclusion to the following day. Play resumed at 1-3, with Boulter holding the game point. Sakatsume again fought hard in the game and had an opportunity to break, but she could not convert it. Boulter went on to close out the match.

■“It was a match in which I just couldn’t capitalize on my chances,” Sakatsume said. She had 13 break points but converted only one. Asked why she had struggled to take advantage of those opportunities, she explained that the rallies had largely unfolded on Boulter’s terms. “She was the one initiating things, and I was reacting to what she did,” Sakatsume said. Had she been able to dictate the rallies, she could have made better use of one of her strengths which is to vary the pace of her shots. But with Boulter in control, it was difficult to find the right opportunities. Sakatsume fought hard to stay in the rallies but became increasingly conscious of the need to finish points, which led to errors. “I don’t particularly feel that I’ve achieved something just by being able to compete with a player ranked around the top 50,” Sakatsume said. Rather than viewing the match simply as valuable experience, she openly expressed her frustration. That response reflects her determination to establish herself among the world’s top 100 and, ultimately, the top 50.

(Japan Tennis Association)