Japan Open: Katie Boulter puts rain delays behind her as Brit progresses to second round in Osaka

Britain's Katie Boulter defeated Japanese wildcard Himeno Sakatsume 6-3 6-1 in one hour and 32 minutes to advance to the second round of the Japan Open in Osaka, a day after heavy rainfall had suspended play. The world No. 58 will next face Swiss player Viktorija Golubic for a place in the quarter-finals. The win brings Boulter to a 20-20 record across her last 40 matches, providing a confidence boost after limited match play since September 30.