Rothesay Open Nottingham 2024: Defending champion Boulter wins three-hour thriller against Dart in first round
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Defending champion Katie Boulter’s return to the Rothesay Open Nottingham brought the fireworks as the British No.1 defeated compatriot and teammate Harriet Dart 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5 in the opening round.
Boulter and Dart battled it out for over three hours on court before the world No.30 wrapped up a hard-fought win on her third match point.
Coming in with a title and ranking points to defend this week – the victory will give the third seed a huge boost after only her first match on grass this season.
“Coming into this tournament as defending champion has mixed emotions,” Boulter admitted. “I have such great memories here but it’s also a lot of pressure – it’s a totally different ball game.
“It’s the first time I’ve come to a tournament as defending champion and I felt like today’s match was really tough and it was a good level.
“It’s been a long journey and this is where it kick-started. I love coming back and that special feeling it gives me – even walking out on that court today, it’s been a while since I’ve felt that. It doesn’t go unnoticed that I love every minute I’m out there.”
Having lost to Boulter in straight sets during their most recent meeting in Nottingham last year, Dart showed why she’s broken back into the top 100 again this season.
The British No.3 sowed great resilience to come back from a break down in the decider and held a 5-4 lead – but in the end, Boulter’s experience in the big moments pushed her through.
“I feel like she played really well, came out firing and I did so well to stay strong, fight and get my way through it.
“Half of tennis is keeping your cool and staying patient. I’m very proud of the way I handled today and I stayed calm the whole time and that’s really what won me the match I think.
“That’s what half these matches are. I know I’ve got to improve each day and I’m just really happy with my first grass court win.
“It’s never easy being in this position. We come together with the Billie Jean King Cup a lot of times and we are friends, so to go out there and both put our hearts on the line in front of each other is tough.”
Boulter will now play either Viktorija Golubic or Rebecca Marino as her quest for back-toback Nottingham titles goes on.
The 28-year-old knows better than anyone how much of an impact a strong run at this tournament can have and this week, she’s had chance to reflect on her journey in the last 12 months.
“It’s a moment that stops me in my track a bit,” she explained looking back at her title win in 2023. “This time last year was the first time I was handed British No.1 and I remember it so vividly because I wasn’t happy with my ranking. I was just trying to improve my ranking and get as many points as I could but this time I’m coming in with a great ranking by my name and I’m proud of that number.”
Elsewhere around the grounds at the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre, Heather Watson got off to a winning start against Kayla Day 4-6, 6-0, 6-4.
Meanwhile, wild card Paul Jubb beat seventh seed Duje Ajdukovic in round one 7-6(1), 6-4.
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