Katie Boulter retained her Nottingham Open title by defeating Karolina Pliskova in a thrilling final, coming from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. This victory came just hours after a similar comeback against fellow Briton Emma Raducanu in the semi-finals.
Boulter, 27, showcased her resilience and determination throughout the weather-affected tournament. After losing a marathon tie-break against Raducanu on Saturday, she fought back to win their semi-final 6-7 (13-15), 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday morning. In the final, Boulter initially struggled, losing the first set after leading 4-3. However, she rallied with the support of the Nottingham crowd, breaking Pliskova’s serve early in the second set and maintaining her momentum to force a decider.
In the final set, Boulter’s confidence was evident as she dominated Pliskova, breaking serve twice to establish a 5-1 lead. Despite a brief hiccup when she lost her serve, Boulter quickly regained control to seal the victory. Reflecting on her win, Boulter expressed her disbelief and joy, acknowledging the special significance of Nottingham in her career. Next, she aims to continue her strong form at the Birmingham Classic as she prepares for Wimbledon starting on 1 July.
