McCartney Kessler ended Katie Boulter’s remarkable 12-match winning streak at the Nottingham Open on Friday, defeating the British No. 2 player in the quarter-finals. The American clinched the victory with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, halting Boulter’s bid for a third consecutive title at the tournament where she had emerged victorious in both 2023 and 2024.
Boulter had been in a strong position to progress, leading 4-2 with a break of serve in the deciding set, but Kessler came back to win the final four games, including breaking Boulter’s serve twice to secure the win on Boulter’s home court.
Key Moments in the Match and Player Reactions
The closely contested match showcased aggressive shot-making from both players. Kessler’s determination to stay composed throughout allowed her to edge out the Briton in crucial moments. Reflecting on the encounter, Kessler said,
“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.”
—American Kessler
She added,
“We are both aggressive players, so there was a lot of shot-making.”
—American Kessler
Looking ahead, Kessler expressed her ambitions:
“I am trying to get as many titles as I can and put myself in the position to win titles. I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”
—American Kessler
Upcoming Semi-Final Match-Ups in Nottingham
Following her quarter-final victory, Kessler is set to face Rebecca Sramkova in the Saturday semi-finals. Sramkova advanced after a solid performance earlier in the tournament.
On the other side of the draw, Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska secured her semi-final berth by defeating former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). Meanwhile, Magda Linette upset top seed Clara Tauson with a 6-2, 7-5 win to claim her place in the last four.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Dramatic Quarter-Final Comeback in Berlin
Meanwhile, at the Berlin Tennis Open, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka staged an incredible comeback against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in a match lasting nearly three hours. Trailing 6-2 in the deciding set tiebreak, Sabalenka won six consecutive points to claim a 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) victory.
Sabalenka reflected on her performance, saying,
“Elena, she’s a great player and we’ve had a lot of tough battles. I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky, to be honest,”
—Aryna Sabalenka
She continued,
“It’s amazing to win matches like that and I’m proud of myself for how I stayed in. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point.”
—Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka will face Czech player Marketa Vondrousova in the next round, after Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1 in a rematch of their 2023 Wimbledon final clash.
Other Notable Results from the Berlin Tennis Open
Chinese qualifier Xinyu Wang advanced to the semi-finals after opponent and eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip injury during their quarter-final match. Wang has enjoyed an impressive run in Berlin, having previously eliminated second seed Coco Gauff in the earlier round. Wang’s strong performance continues to capture attention in the German capital.
Significance of These Developments for Tournament Standings
The exit of Katie Boulter at Nottingham ends a dominant home run, opening the field to new contenders in the remaining rounds of the competition. McCartney Kessler’s breakthrough victory positions her as a rising threat in women’s tennis and could mark a turning point in her career with potential title successes ahead.
In Berlin, Sabalenka’s resilience highlights her championship credentials, while emerging players like Xinyu Wang and Marketa Vondrousova continue to make significant impacts in major tournaments. The semi-finals in both locations promise exciting match-ups as players strive for key titles and valuable ranking points ahead of the upcoming summer events.