Defending champion Katie Boulter has guaranteed there will be a British finalist again at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham after beating Magdalena Frech in a rain-soaked contest.
The British number one, who won her first WTA Tour title on home soil 12 months ago, beat her Polish opponent 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.
There, she will face either Emma Raducanu Or Fran Joneswho needed just four points to claim a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory over American Ashlyn Krueger earlier on Friday.
Boulter won her first WTA Tour title at her home event 12 months ago
More rain forced a long stoppage, with Boulter, 27, leading Frech 4-2, but the Leicestershire star finished the first set before recovering from a breakdown in the second.
“In the first set I thought I had really good tennis, some of the best I’ve played,” Boulter said in an on-court interview.
“I’m slowly gaining momentum. I’m really, really happy that I made it today. I can see a rain cloud coming, so I just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. I can’t have any more delays in because of the rain.
“It’s absolutely brilliant to see a lot of Brits doing well. Last year it was me and Jodie (Burrage) in the final. I faced Hev (Heather Watson) in the semi-final, Harriet (Dart) in the quarters , so I think we’re in a really good place.”
Jones booked a match with Raducanu earlier in the day, winning the four points she needed to secure victory over Krueger in a match suspended Thursday afternoon due to rain.
Krueger won the first point to force a break opportunity, but Jones took the next three to wrap up a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory and reach her second WTA Tour quarter-final and first at home.
The 23-year-old said: “I think it was a more excruciating wait than when Man Utd were leading 2-1 against Man City at the end of the FA Cup final.
“It definitely tests my worst attribute, which is my patience. I heard a lot of jokes. Ons (Jabeur) was telling me to serve two aces, but I put in the first serves so we’ll take it. “
Jones is expected to face Raducanu later on Friday, with the pair having become close friends since being on the same Billie Jean King Cup team in April.
“Emma and I get along really well,” Jones said. “We’ve been spending a lot of time together over the last few weeks, to the point where we’re both sick and I think we’ve given it to each other – I’m going to blame him.
“It’s going to be a great match, obviously no pressure for me and I just have to enjoy it. Hopefully we both enjoy it and we can give the crowd a little taste of what it’s like, hopefully -the, the future of the British tennis.
Emma Raducanu aims for a first title on the WTA circuit
Raducanu eased her first two rounds as she targets a maiden WTA Tour title.
The 21-year-old said of her clash with Jones: “She’s a really dangerous opponent. Whatever happens, a Brit is in the semi-final, which is great for us. I think she has also overcome many injury challenges, so it’s good to see her back and that she’s doing well.
“She’s a lot of fun. I think we’re quite similar in our thinking. We both have a lot of interests outside of tennis and our conversations aren’t just about tennis, which is always nice and always refreshing.”
Meanwhile, top seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia also reached the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Czech Linda Fruhvirtova.
What’s happening on Sky Sports Tennis?
As the third Grand Slam of 2024 approaches – Wimbledon – you can watch tennis’ biggest stars live on Sky Sports:
- Stuttgart Open (ATP 250) – June 10-16
- Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
- Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
- Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
- Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
- Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
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