Katie Boulter demonstrated her resilience and skill in a gripping match against fellow Briton Sonay Kartal at the Nottingham Open. The defending champion, seeded eighth, managed to overcome a challenging second set and a tough third set to secure her place in the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory.

Boulter started the match strongly, breaking Kartal's serve to take a 5-4 lead before serving out the first set. However, Kartal responded with a dominant second set, winning five consecutive games to level the match.

The deciding set was a rollercoaster of emotions. Boulter found herself trailing early but fought back to hold her serve and break Kartal twice, including a crucial break when Kartal was serving to force a tie-break. Boulter's determination and mental toughness were evident as she gritted her teeth to secure the win.

After the match, Boulter expressed her respect for Kartal, stating, "I have so much respect for Sonay, she is such a tough competitor." She also highlighted her connection with the Nottingham courts, saying, "I feel like I step into my house when I come on to this court. I have such great vibes here."

Boulter, who is on a 12-match winning streak in Nottingham, will now face American McCartney Kessler for a place in the semi-finals. The Englishwoman remains the last Briton in the women's singles draw after Mimi Xu was defeated earlier in the day.

This victory keeps Boulter's bid for a third consecutive Nottingham Open title alive, further cementing her status as a formidable force on grass courts.