British Tennis Round-up: Murray makes Shanghai final, Boulter breaks into Top 100
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China – Shanghai
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares reached their second ATP Masters final of the year whilst playing at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The pair, who were seeded sixth, made the final without dropping a set, but were denied their fourth title of 2018 after falling 6-4, 6-2 to Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo.
Their success in Shanghai enabled them to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals at London’s O2 Arena for a third consecutive year, and they will battle for the year-end crown from 11 – 18 November.
In singles, Kyle Edmund made the quarter-finals after defeating Filip Krajinovic, Andreas Seppi and Nicolas Jarry, but missed out on advancing to the final four after suffering a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
China –Tianjin
Katie Boulter recorded her best ever ranking win at the Tianjin Open by capturing a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over eighth seed and world No.42 Maria Sakkari. The 22-year-old from Leicester went onto defeat Barbora Krejckova to reach the quarter-finals, but fell in three sets to top seed Karolina Pliskova.
Boulter’s performance marked a rankings breakthrough as she entered the Top 100 for the first time as the new world No.96.
Breaking into the Top 100 for the first time is a really special moment & something my team, the LTA and I have worked really hard to achieve. I’m enjoying being able to test my game at a higher level and playing against some of the best players in the world. I’m hoping to continue this success and looking forward to the Australian Open in January.
Nigeria
Jack Draper captured his third ITF Futures title as he became champion of a $25,000 Futures tournament in Lagos. The 16-year-old, who reached the 2018 Wimbledon Boys’ final, made the final by maintaining a straight sets record. He faced France's Tom Jomby for the title and battled back from a set down to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The achievement comes after Draper won his first two Futures titles last month on home soil in Nottingham and Roehampton, and it is expected to elevate him to around 420 in the world rankings. This will make him the second-highest world ranked player aged under 18.
He had even more to celebrate on Monday as the BBC announced his name on the list of nominations for this year’s Young Sports Personality of the Year. Draper is amongst ten young athletes shortlisted for the award, with the winner set to be announced at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards on Sunday 21 October. Find out more with the BBC’s breakdown of nominees.
Other Brits in action
Freya Christie claimed her second doubles ITF Pro Circuit title of the year as she teamed up with Erin Routliffe of New Zealand in Toowomba, Australia, while Brydan Klein partnered Australian Scott Puodziunas to finish a doubles finalist in the men's Futures tournament.
Neil Pauffley enjoyed singles success by finishing runner-up of a $15,000 Futures tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, and Eden Silva and Alicia Barnett reached the final of a $25,000 ITF Pro Circuit event in Cherbourg-en-Contentin.
Tweet of the week
Katie Boulter had the perfect start to the week as she enjoys a new career-high...
