Boulter is top Brit after tour victory

Katie Boulter is aiming to push further up the rankings after winning the biggest title of her career.

The British number one defeated five top-40 players to win the San Diego Open, bringing her a first WTA 500 trophy and elevating her ranking to 27.

With Cameron Norrie slipping to 28, it means Boulter is the highestranked British singles player of either gender heading into the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which begins today.

The same week a year ago, Boulter was ranked outside the world’s top 150, and she does not have many points to defend until the grasscourt tournament in

Five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny has only a “slim chance” of competing at the Paris Games this summer, according to British Cycling performance director Stephen Park.

Britain’s most

Nottingham in June, where last year she picked up her first WTA title.

“I feel like I’ve started the year very well and I’ve given myself the best opportunity to set myself up for the rest of the year,” said 27-year-old Boulter.

“I’ve got a free swing, I don’t really have too much pressure. I’m just here enjoying myself and working as hard as I possibly can with a great team.

“You never know what could happen so I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”

Boulter’s elevation to the top 30 comes too late to earn her a seeding and she will be back in action today against dangerous Italian Camila Giorgi.

successful female gave birth to son Monty in July. The 31-year-old admitted then it would be a tall order to get back up to speed in time and, as she has not raced since, she does not yet have the points required to qualify for Paris.