NOTTINGHAM — Katie Boulter survived a stern test from compatriot Sonay Kartal to keep her bid for a third consecutive Nottingham Open title alive, winning 6-4, 6-3 in a hard-fought all-British clash on Tuesday. The top seed, who has dominated this event in recent years, had to dig deep against the spirited world No. 298, but her experience and composure under pressure proved decisive.
Boulter, now ranked a career-high No. 30, admitted afterward that the match felt like stepping into familiar territory. "I feel like I step into my house when I come here," she said. "The courts, the atmosphere—it just brings out the best in me. But Sonay made me work for every point today."
A Battle of Brits
The match marked the first all-British WTA Tour-level encounter since 2021, and Kartal—who earned her place via qualifying—showed no signs of intimidation against her higher-ranked opponent. The 22-year-old Brighton native pushed Boulter to deuce multiple times in the opening set, showcasing her powerful groundstrokes and fearless approach.
Key moments in the first set:
- Boulter saved three break points at 2-2 with clutch serving
- Kartal fought off two set points at 5-3 before Boulter closed it out
- The top seed won 78% of first-serve points compared to Kartal's 62%
Second Set Resurgence
After dropping the opener, Kartal came out swinging in the second, breaking Boulter immediately. However, the defending champion responded with characteristic resilience, reeling off four straight games to seize control. Boulter's ability to mix up her game—incorporating slice backhands and timely net approaches—proved crucial in disrupting Kartal's rhythm.
"I knew I had to stay patient," Boulter explained. "Sonay hits a heavy ball, and she was going for her shots. I just tried to weather the storm and take my chances when they came."
By the Numbers
The statistics underscored Boulter's efficiency:
- Converted 3/5 break points compared to Kartal's 1/6
- Hit 22 winners to 18 unforced errors (Kartal: 19 winners, 23 errors)
- Won 12/17 net points (71% success rate)
Road to a Three-Peat
With this victory, Boulter extended her Nottingham winning streak to 10 matches. The 27-year-old from Leicester has become synonymous with success at this event, having also reached the semifinals in 2021 before her back-to-back titles. Her next opponent will be either Magdalena Fręch or qualifier Daria Snigur.
Nottingham holds special significance for Boulter, who credits the tournament with kickstarting her career resurgence in 2022. That year, she entered ranked outside the top 150 but defeated then-world No. 4 Paula Badosa en route to the title—a result that propelled her back into the top 100.
Kartal's Promising Future
Despite the loss, Kartal's performance signaled her potential to climb the rankings. The former junior Wimbledon semifinalist, who overcame serious injury struggles in 2022-23, has now won 10 of her last 12 matches across all levels. "This week showed I belong at this level," she said post-match.
Boulter praised her opponent's development: "Sonay's improved massively. She's going to cause a lot of players problems with that game. British tennis is in a great place with talents like her coming through."
Looking Ahead
As Boulter continues her title defense, all eyes will be on whether she can make history by becoming the first player to win three straight Nottingham crowns since the tournament's inception in 1971. With Wimbledon just weeks away, this grass-court preparation could prove invaluable for both British players.
The top seed remains focused on the immediate challenge: "I'm not thinking about three in a row—just the next match. Every opponent here is dangerous, especially on grass. I'll keep doing what's worked for me: playing aggressive and trusting my game."