In the women’s final at the Nottingham Open, Katie Boulter triumphed over her fellow Brit, Jodie Burrage, on Sunday, securing her position as Britain’s top female player.
With a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win under her belt, Boulter seized the victory in just 73 minutes. This marked the first WTA final involving two British players since 1977. Leicester-born Boulter, who regards this tournament as a home fixture, was jubilant.
“As a young child of four, I dreamt of clinching this tournament,” Boulter recounted after her WTA Tour victory. “I used to come here as a spectator, and to now be the champion is beyond words. Being a part of so many all-British matchups and especially this all-British final is an incredible feat.”
Boulter hit 13 winners, doubling Burrage’s count of six. For Burrage, this week marked her first ever venture into a WTA quarterfinal.
The last occasion that saw two British females in a WTA Tour final was back in 1977, when Sue Barker battled Virginia Wade in San Francisco.
Boulter now boasts a flawless 3-0 record against Burrage and will ascend into the top 80, marking her first return to the top 100 since 2019.
Boulter initiated the first set by racing to a 3-0 lead, courtesy of an early break. After another break, she faltered momentarily when serving for the set. However, she swiftly allayed any concerns by breaking Burrage a third time to claim the opening set.
An early break in the second set further tightened Boulter’s control of the match, and she clinched the championship on her second match point.
In a remarkable showcase of British tennis at the Nottingham Open, Katie Boulter proved victorious over her fellow countrywoman, Jodie Burrage, reinforcing her standing as the leading lady in British tennis.
Boulter dispatched Burrage in an assertive straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-3, in a concise one hour and 13 minutes. The event was of particular significance, being the first all-British WTA final since the late 70s. Born in nearby Leicester, Boulter regards the Nottingham Open with great fondness, lending an extra layer of satisfaction to her win.
“Winning this tournament was a childhood dream of mine, one I’ve harboured since I was merely 4 years old,” Boulter shared post-match, her WTA Tour title secure. “To transition from a fan in the stands to the victorious player on the court is an indescribable feeling. Being involved in a multitude of all-British clashes, and particularly an all-British final, is a remarkable accomplishment.”
With 13 winners against Burrage’s 6, Boulter’s dominance was clear. Burrage, meanwhile, had only advanced to her first WTA quarterfinal this week, indicating a promising rise in her own career.
The last time a WTA Tour final was graced by two British women, Sue Barker and Virginia Wade were the contenders in San Francisco in 1977.
Now holding a 3-0 record against Burrage, Boulter is set to ascend into the top 80, an achievement she hasn’t experienced since her last top 100 appearance in 2019.
In the first set, Boulter established an early lead, securing a 3-0 scoreline following a quick break. Despite momentarily faltering when first serving for the set, she regathered her composure, breaking Burrage once more to decisively claim the opener.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Boulter seizing an early break, thus solidifying her command over the match. She sealed the victory on her second championship point, celebrating her outstanding performance on home soil. This victory not only resonated with Boulter herself, but it also ignited a sense of national pride, indicating a bright future for British women’s tennis.
