Katie Boulter survives tough battle to advance at Nottingham Open

In the recent Lexus Nottingham Open, held in the United Kingdom, defending champion Katie Boulter faced fellow British player Sonay Kartal in the second round. Boulter, the British number two, started her campaign to win a third consecutive title by defeating Lulu Sun in the first round. Despite struggling initially, Boulter managed to come back from a set down to win the match against Kartal, with scores of 6-4, 1-6, and 7-5, surviving a scare where she fell behind in the final set. Boulter's victory was notable as she had to save a break point while trailing 4-2 in the deciding set. She had expressed her respect for Kartal and acknowledged the latter's potential to surpass her in future rankings. After an intense second set which saw Kartal take control, Boulter rallied back to secure her spot in the quarter-finals against McCartney Kessler. The Nottingham Open is where Boulter had previously secured her first WTA Tour title two years ago and successfully defended it last year. Her win extends her winning streak at this tournament to 12 matches, highlighting her comfort and strong performance in this prestigious event. Kartal's performance in the match also showcased her talent, despite the loss, as she kept Boulter on her toes and forced her to fight hard. In addition to Boulter's thrilling match, the tournament also featured promising performances from other British players, including Mimi Xu, who made her WTA Tour debut. However, she was knocked out in her subsequent match. Overall, Boulter's resilience in the match against Kartal and her ongoing journey in the Nottingham Open has brought significant attention, as she seeks to solidify her status in British tennis and aim for another title in this beloved tournament.