Katie Boulter showcased her resilience and skill at the Nottingham Open, coming from behind to defeat Karolina Pliskova, securing her title for the second consecutive year.
Boulter’s victory was particularly impressive, as she overcame a set deficit twice in a single day, first against fellow Briton Emma Raducanu and then against 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Pliskova.
The home crowd favorite Boulter triumphed over Pliskova with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final match. “This feels like déjà vu,” Boulter expressed. “I’m not sure if I’m dreaming or if this really happened. Nottingham holds a special place in my heart, and this has been an incredible week for me. Congratulations to Karolina and her team for a great tournament; you’re always tough to beat, but today was my day.”
The road to victory was challenging for Boulter, with weather disruptions affecting the tournament. Her semi-final match against Raducanu was halted after one set and resumed the next day. Despite losing a marathon tie-break on Saturday, Boulter made a remarkable comeback on Sunday, winning 6-7 (13-15), 6-3, 6-4.
In the final, Boulter made an early statement by breaking Pliskova’s serve in the opening game. Although she lost the first set after Pliskova rallied, Boulter rebounded in the second set, spurred on by the supportive Nottingham crowd. She secured an early break in the third game and dismantled Pliskova’s serve once more to force a decisive third set.
Boulter’s confidence was evident in the final set as she aimed for her third WTA Tour title, having previously won in San Diego in March. She broke Pliskova’s serve twice to lead 5-1, and despite a brief stumble, she quickly recovered to clinch the match.
Next, Boulter heads to the Birmingham Classic, continuing to build momentum for Wimbledon, which starts on July 1. Her Nottingham Open victory not only cements her status as Britain’s top female player but also sets a promising stage for her upcoming matches.