Defending champion Boulter loses in Nottingham

Katie Boulter's impressive run at the Nottingham Open came to an unexpected end as she was defeated by American player McCartney Kessler in the quarter-finals. Boulter, a two-time defending champion and the British number two, had been in strong form leading up to the match, having reached the second round of each of her last four Grand Slam tournaments. In a closely contested match that lasted two hours and nine minutes, Boulter initially appeared to be in control, taking a 4-2 lead in the deciding set. However, she ultimately succumbed to Kessler, losing the match with scores of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Despite her strong performance in the first set, where she created numerous opportunities with 11 break points but converted only one, Boulter struggled to maintain her momentum in the final set, allowing Kessler to capitalize on her chances.

Boulter's defeat marks a significant moment in her career, as she had not lost at the Nottingham Open in three years and was riding a 12-match winning streak at this Wimbledon warm-up event. The second set saw Boulter regain her composure, as she did not face any break points and won the set decisively. However, in the final set, her inability to close out the match proved costly, as she lost four consecutive games after leading 4-2. Kessler's victory now propels her into the semi-finals, where she will compete against either Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia or Czech player Linda Noskova. This match showcased both players' talents and highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, leaving Boulter to regroup and prepare for future competitions after this surprising exit.