Boulter beats Golubic in Hong Kong as Norrie advances in Paris

Katie Boulter reached the last 16 of the Hong Kong Open with a 6-2 7-6 (7-2) victory over Viktorija Golubic, recovering after a distraction interrupted her attempt to finish the match. BBC Sport reported that the British number one twice lost serve late in the second set before winning the tie-break to complete a straight-sets success.

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Boulter was serving at 5-2 when she complained to the umpire about a point not being replayed following an audible noise from outside. Golubic broke in that game, and Boulter subsequently dropped her next service game as well. The Swiss player forced the set into a tie-break, but Boulter conceded only two points in it to avoid a decider.

Speaking after the match, Boulter said she had been playing well enough to close out the contest earlier. She acknowledged that the umpiring judgement had unsettled her and linked her reaction to feeling tired at the end of the season. Although she said she usually handles such interruptions better, she was ultimately able to recover and finish the match.

The world number 49 will next face American Claire Liu. Boulter was runner-up at the Hong Kong tournament in 2024 and had also beaten Golubic, ranked 89th, during her run to the Japan Open semi-finals last month. Monday's result gave her another win over the same opponent, despite the complications in the closing stages.

Elsewhere in Hong Kong, Venus Williams lost 6-2 6-3 to fellow American Mary Stoiana in the opening round. BBC Sport reported that it was Williams' 17th successive singles defeat. The 46-year-old seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, ranked 597th, has not won a singles match since July 2025. Stoiana, 23, is ranked 113th.

In Paris, Cameron Norrie reached the Masters second round by defeating Matteo Arnaldi 6-4 1-6 6-3 in one hour and 41 minutes. It was the British number two's first ATP Tour win since August. Norrie recovered from losing serve in the opening set by immediately breaking back, then secured that set in 36 minutes.

Arnaldi broke Norrie's serve three times to take the second set, but Norrie responded in the decider with a break for a 3-1 lead and held on to win. In comments to Sky Sports carried by the BBC, Norrie described a difficult year and said he wanted to reduce the pressure he placed on himself and enjoy playing each point.