Katie Boulter wins Ostrava Open title as Emma Raducanu finishes runner-up in Romania
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Katie Boulter is the new Ostrava Open champion after beating Tamara Korpatsch in three sets, while Emma Raducanu finished runner-up in Transylvania.
Boulter came back from a set down to defeat the German 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to clinch the title in Ostrava.
The 29-year-old is now a four-time WTA title winner – adding to her trophies in Nottingham (2023, 2024) and San Diego (2024).
"It feels incredible, I’ve waited a while for this one," Boulter said after the match. "I’m thrilled and I don’t want to stop working now, I feel like it’s a big year ahead.
“Everyone close to me knows how hard this last year has been for me and to get today makes it all worth it. I appreciate the work you do on a daily basis (her team) and it means everything to me.
“We’re only a few weeks into business right now Micky (coach) and we’ve already got one in the bag and it was on your birthday week so a big week for you.”
Meanwhile, British No.1 Raducanu lost out to third seed Sorana Cirstea in the Transylvania Open final 6-0, 6-2.
Despite the loss, Raducanu can take plenty of positives from her week in Romania. Not only did she reached her first WTA final since the US Open in 2021, but she is now set to rise back inside the world’s top 25 next week.
This was the first time that two British players have featured in WTA singles finals in the same weekend.
Olivia Nicholls also finished her week as runner-up at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi, teaming up with Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia.
The fourth seeds lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova and Maya Joint 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-8 in their first final of the season.
Boulter claims fourth WTA Tour trophy
It was a solid start from Boulter and Korpatsch through the opening eight games, but it was Briton who made the first breakthrough.
Boulter broke to give herself the chance to serve out the set, but the German fired back with a series of clean games – barely putting a foot wrong. Korpatsch broke twice to win the final three games of the set and deal a hammer blow to the British No.4.
Despite the disappointment, Boulter came back with the perfect response. From 2-2 in the second set, Boulter won 12 of the last 13 games in dominant fashion.
The Briton dropped just four points behind her first serve in the second and third sets and broke five times to seal a milestone victory.
Boulter had dropped outside the WTA top 100 and the start of this year but is now up to world No.84 in the live rankings.
Katie Boulter’s path to the Transylvania Open title
- Final: bt. Tamara Korpatsch (GER, world No.124) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
- Semi-final: bt. Katie Volynets (USA, world No.96) 6-1, 6-3
- Quarter-final: bt. Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE, world No.121) 6-3, 6-2
- Second round: bt. Viktorija Golubic (SUI, world No.89) (5) 6-2, 6-2
- First round: bt. Lucie Havlickova (CZE, world No.276) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Raducanu denied title against home-favourite
It was a statement start from the Cirstea, winning the opening seven points and breaking Raducanu on her first service game.
Playing in front of her home crowd, Cirstea kept her foot on the gas, winning 68% (17/28) points against the Raducanu serve in the opening set.
The third seed hit nine winners to Raducanu’s one, breaking twice more to see out the set in 30 minutes.
Unforced errors were an issue for the British No.1 as she fired a forehand long to hand a 2-0 advantage to Cirstea, but broke straight back to get herself on the scoreboard.
Raducanu had the trainer out at the next change of ends and seemed to be struggling on court. Cirstea restored her break for 4-2 and lost just one point the rest of the way to claim her fourth WTA title.
“It was a great feeling to be in the final,” Raducanu said. “I feel like a I had a great week myself, I really enjoyed playing here, the crowd made me feel like I was at home and it was a special week for me. Today I didn’t feel great but I’m not going to let that take away from a good week.”
The British star has played some impressive tennis this week in her victories over Greet Minnen, Kaja Juvan, Maja Chwalinska and Oleksandra Oliynykova, which will give her great confidence going forward for the rest of the season.
