Google News Rothesay Open: Katie Boulter collects maiden title after victory over Jodie Burrage
by ABBEY JOHNSON
Katie Boulter’s the 2023 Rothesay Open titlist. The Briton won the British derby against Jodie Burrage, 6-3, 6-3 in 73 minutes to hoist the first-ever WTA trophy of her career. Burrage was no match for Boulter throughout the match.
Ranked 126th during the week, Boulter finished the match by winning 76% of her first-serve points to Burrage’s 70%. She also won 76% points on return on her opponent’s second serve, while winning 45% of her second-serve points.
Boulter faced two break points of which she saved one. But she did convert four of five break points she generated on compatriot’s serve. Following the win, Boulter said, “I dreamt of this moment at this tournament since I was a little girl.
There was training here when I was four or five years old, coming here as a fan and also now as a player, dreaming big and somehow found a way to win it today. It means more than everything to me”.
Rothesay Open: A final that Great Britain won't ever forget
Two British women contesting a WTA final was momentous even before the first ball of the final had been hit.
It was almost after 46 years, since Sue Barker won the title in San Francisco after defeating her rival and fellow countrywoman, Virginia Wade, in 1977. For Boulter and Burrage, who’d made their way into the main draw in Nottingham as a wildcard and qualifier respectively, advancing to the final also meant that they would significantly climb up in the WTA singles rankings and also win their first title on the WTA main circuit.
After Sunday’s result at the Rothesay Open, Katie Boulter’s ranked 77th in the world, marking a new career-high for herself. She’s also now Great Britain’s no. 1 player among the women. Meanwhile, Burrage’s now ranked 108th in the world, two places removed from her career-high of 106th that she attained in May 2023. Photo Credit: LTA Twitter