Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage win to set up all-British Nottingham Open final
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Updated 17/06/2023 at 16:21 GMT
Katie Boulter will face Jodie Burrage in an all-British final at the Nottingham Open, with both players set to compete in their first WTA career final. Boulter defeated fellow Brit Heather Watson in straight sets before Burrage followed suit against France's Alize Cornet. The battle between the two compatriots will determine who is British No. 1 leading up to Wimbledon.
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There will be an all-British final at the Nottingham Open after Jodie Burrage defeated Alize Cornet to set up a clash with compatriot Katie Boulter.
Boulter ousted fellow Briton Heather Watson 6-4 7-5 in the first semi-final of the day to reach her maiden WTA final.
Burrage then joined her with a 7-5 7-5 victory over world No. 72 Cornet, and the 24-year-old will also compete in her first WTA decider on Sunday.
Boulter’s win moved her into the top 100 of the women’s rankings, which should be enough to earn her a wildcard entry into Wimbledon.
Her clash with Watson was already the first all-British WTA semi-final since 1979 in what has been a week to remember for home fans in Nottingham.
Play was delayed for the pair when Boulter led 3-2 in the first set, forcing the players off court for 90 minutes, but she was not seriously hampered and was able to maintain her dominance despite her opponent’s strong service game.
Watson had led 3-0 in the second set, but Boulter reeled off seven off the next nine games for the win.
Watson sent down eight aces compared to her opponent’s five, but while Watson converted just two of seven break points, Boulter took four from seven on her way to a straight-sets victory.
"I've worked so hard for this and I'm just going to keep plugging away," said Boulter. "Even if it's not my time, it's been a great week for me and I will keep working hard.
"It means so much to me, especially here. It was a really tough match and I just tried to put my heart on the line and managed to get through in the end.
"She [Watson] is an incredible player and I knew it would be a battle. I have so much time for her, she is an amazing girl."
Next up for Boulter is a clash with Burrage on Sunday, where the latter will also have the chance to oust her opponent as British No. 1.
After a break apiece early in the opener, Burrage made a significant breakthrough by navigating some awkward service games before breaking Cornet to edge into a 6-5 lead.
The 24-year-old held her nerve to serve out in style, taking her second set point with a fabulous cross-court winner that dropped on the line.
Both players lost their bottle on serve in the second set as the first five games resulted in breaks, Burrage eventually holding to take control of the match with a 4-2 lead that put her two games from victory.
Cornet responded impressively with a hold and a break to level things up, only to be broken once more by Burrage at 6-5 as the Brit went one nerve-wracking service game from glory.
The Brit quickly set up three match points and only needed one as Cornet went long to hand Burrage a ticket to her first WTA tour-level final.
“I wasn’t expecting this coming into this week, not going to lie," said Burrage.
"I’m very happy with my performance today, I’ve been feeling it physically a lot and Alize isn’t an easy opponent to put away as shown at the end there. Really happy to get through that one.
“I was saying to myself at the end after losing that 4-2 lead, ‘Jodie you’re winning this in two sets, you’re not playing three’ – maybe I should say that to myself more often, but happy to get through in two.
“It’s going to be an amazing day tomorrow. Me and Boults [Katie Boulter] played a final at the start of this year [in Canberra ITF event] and she won, so hopefully I can try and change that this time. But what an amazing tournament for both of us and for all the women this week. I think it will be a really fun game and I’m really looking forward to it."
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