Alex de Minaur’s girlfriend Katie Boulter beats Raducanu to reach Nottingham final

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Katie Boulter remains on track to defend her Nottingham Open title after beating fellow Briton Emma Raducanu to reach the final.

 

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The semi-final tie was suspended on Saturday night, with Raducanu holding a one-set lead, as bad weather and poor conditions made play difficult and dangerous.

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Boulter, 27, benefited the most from an overnight break to win 6-7 (13-15) 6-3 6-4, and will face Czech Karolina Pliskova in the final later on Sunday.

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“I know she is only going to get better and better and I’m just so pleased to get through this today – it was so tough.

 

“It has been a really tough week for me, it hasn’t been easy to get over the line and it’s tough coming in as defending champion. But so far it’s going OK.”

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Saturday’s action was enthralling as the two compatriots refused to take a backwards step, each holding on serve to force a tie-break as they contended with inclement weather.

 

Raducanu, who slipped and fell awkwardly in that tie-break, converted a sixth set point before calling on the umpire to stop play and Boulter was in agreement.

 

The 21-year-old was broken in game seven and nine of the second set on Sunday as Boulter forced a decider.

 

Both players struggled on serve in the third and final set with five successive breaks eventually leading Boulter to the final for the second year in a row.

 

Earlier on Sunday, Pliskova came from behind to defeat France’s Diane Parry.

 

The Czech Republic player lost the opening set in a tie-break but showed character to battle back for a 6-7 (9-11) 6-1 6-4 victory.

 

“I’m super happy to be through, especially after losing the first set,” Pliskova said.

 

“It’s not usual to play three matches in one-and-a-half days but they have to play next, which is good for me, so I’ll eat, rest and get ready.”

 

Pliskova, who beat top seed Ons Jabeur in the quarter-finals, is looking to lift the Nottingham Open title for the second time after her 2016 triumph.

 

“What a match, what an incredible player,” said Boulter after the fightback against Raducanu.

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