Lexus Nottingham Open 2025: GB teammates Katie Boulter & Sonay Kartal set for second round clash
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Britain’s Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal put on classy performances in the first round at the Lexus Nottingham Open to set up an all-British clash between the Billie Jean King Cup teammates.
Boulter knocked out last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lulu Sun 6-2, 6-2 in just 75 minutes, while Kartal defeated French No.2 Leolia Jeanjean 6-3, 6-4 in the first match of the day.
For back-to-back reigning champion Boulter, it’s now an 11-match win streak at her home tournament and the British No.2 was full of smiles after yet another dominant performance on the Nottingham centre court.
“This is the best feeling that I could possibly ask for,” Boulter said in her post-match interview. “This is why I play tennis.
“I didn’t feel amazing coming into this match and it’s been quite windy the last couple of days so just trying to find my rhythm. Stepping out on to this court I feel right at home already so that’s a nice feeling to have.”
Alongside Emma Raducanu, Boulter and Kartal are part of the first British trio to be ranked inside the WTA’s top 50 since 1986.
Both came into Nottingham off the back of picking up impressive wins at the HSBC Championships and looked a class above their opponents on Tuesday.
Boulter and Kartal will meet for the second time on the grass, with Boulter having won their only previous match in three sets at Surbiton back in 2023.
Their second round clash promises to be one of the standout matches of the week and a good opportunity for both players to put their game to the test on the grass.
“Honestly, I’ve played enough of them now (all-British matches), it’s just another match for me,” Boulter said.
“I have so much respect for Sonay, she’s an incredible tennis player. I’ve always said to her that she’s going to pass my ranking, I’ve always thought that. I know how good and dangerous she can be.
“We played a close match on grass a few years ago so I know it’s going to be an absolute battle. One thing is for sure, it will come down to who’s the better tennis player on the day – I still have a lot of respect for her either way.”
British No.3 Kartal looked comfortable out on the centre court against a tricky opponent who defeated fellow Brits Jodie Burrage and Heather Watson in qualifying.
She didn’t give the Frenchwoman any room to breathe on her serve and taking three of the 11 break point opportunities she had during the match.
It’s her second win on the grass this year after clinching a career-best victory at Queen’s against world No.16 and reigning Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina.
“It was a great turn out, especially being first up – the support was amazing. I’m happy to get through it, I knew it was going to be tough, we practice together a lot.
"I think her game style is one that I prefer. It’s a spinny ball and on the grass it’s going to slow it down a bit as well. It was a good matchup for me, it’s a ball that I love and I feel confident on.”
Kartal’s journey over the last 12 months has been nothing short of incredible. This time last year she was ranked outside the world’s top 250 and now she’s won a WTA title, played main draw at multiple Grand Slams and made her Billie Jean King Cup debut.
Now more of a regular at this level, Kartal has come into the 2025 grass court season with her confidence at an all-time high, which is translating into her performances on court.
“It’s been a crazy 12 months, it’s happened super-fast,” she said. “I aways believed that I had the level to make it to the top 50 I just wasn’t sure when. I’m proud of everything I’m putting onto the match court.
“Playing these bigger matches is becoming more normal now. Let’s see what I can do the second part of the year.”
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