Britain’s Katie Boulter made light work of Japan’s Aoi Ito to reach the second round of the Hong Kong Open.

Second seed Boulter beat world number 156 6-4 6-4.

Boulter has enjoyed a career-best season, winning two WTA Tour titles and reaching a high of 27 in the world rankings.

The 28-year-old thanked the crowd afterwards for their support, saying she “needed a push” after playing in the semi-finals in Tokyo just three days earlier.

“It’s at the end of a long season and I am trying to push my body and myself as much as possible,” she said.

Boulter will face China’s Wang Xiyu for a place in the quarter-finals.