On June 16, the WTA Nottingham Open crowned its champion after rain interruptions led to a packed schedule with the semifinals followed immediately by the final. British No. 1 Boltt first completed her rain-delayed semifinal, defeating hometown favorite and former US Open champion Raducanu in a thrilling three-setter, 6-7(13), 6-3, 6-4. In the final, she once again mounted a comeback, this time overcoming former World No. 1 and former Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to secure consecutive titles at the event.
Boltt
Facing the former Wimbledon runner-up Pliskova in the final, Boltt held a psychological edge having won both their previous grass-court encounters. In this match, she claimed an early break to lead 4-2, only for Pliskova to fight back and win four straight games. Boltt broke first again in the second set, going up 4-2, and this time she held on, securing two more service games to level the match at 6-3. In the decisive third set, with both players battling fatigue from playing two matches in one day, the younger Boltt seized her opportunity and closed out the victory, 6-2.
Notably, this marks the second time this year that Boltt and her partner, ATP’s Alex de Minaur, have won titles in the same week, following their respective triumphs at the WTA San Diego Open and ATP Acapulco earlier in February. “I’m over the moon, it’s been an incredible week. I’ve played some great tennis here and I hope to keep coming back and winning this tournament,” Boltt said.
Boltt’s Road to the Title:
First Round: 6-7(5)/6-4/7-5 Dart
Second Round: 6-4/6-3 Marino [Q]
Quarterfinals: 6-2/6-4 Fracesca [5]
Semifinals: 6-7(13)/6-3/6-4 Raducanu [W]
Final: 4-6/6-3/6-2 Pliskova [6]
(Text and editing by Dato)