Katie Boulter’s impressive 12-match winning streak at the Nottingham Open came to an end as she faced American McCartney Kessler in the quarter-finals, suffering a narrow defeat with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Boulter, who had been optimistic about claiming her third consecutive title in Nottingham—having won in both 2023 and 2024—looked to be in a strong position when she led 4-2 in the final set. However, she faltered at a crucial moment, losing the final four games and ultimately her serve twice, which sealed her exit from the tournament.
Kessler expressed her relief after the tightly contested match, stating, “It was a really tight match, it was close. I wanted to stay within myself and keep playing my game, and luckily I came out on top.” She will now proceed to face Rebecca Sramkova in the semi-finals.
In other semi-final matchups, Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska upset former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, winning 6-3, 7-6 (8-6), while Polish player Magda Linette advanced after defeating top seed Clara Tauson in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
In a separate tournament at the Berlin Tennis Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka achieved a remarkable comeback against Elena Rybakina. After trailing 6-2 in the final-set tiebreak, Sabalenka rallied to win six consecutive points, ultimately claiming victory in a grueling match that lasted over two hours and 42 minutes.
The tennis world continues to witness thrilling matches, showcasing the resilience and determination of players as they chase titles and triumphs. Looking ahead, fans can expect an exciting weekend of competitive tennis.