Katie Boulter’s impressive winning streak at the Nottingham Open came to a dramatic end as she was ousted by American McCartney Kessler in a gripping quarter-final showdown.
The two-time defending champion fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 after two hours and nine minutes on court, bringing her 12-match unbeaten run at the event to a halt.
Boulter, the British number two and world number 42, had established herself as the dominant force at Nottingham in recent years, lifting the trophy in both 2022 and 2023. Heading into this year’s edition, she appeared poised for a third consecutive title — a feat that would have cemented her status as the tournament’s queen. However, her charge was stopped by 25-year-old Kessler, who showed resilience and composure in a tightly contested match.
The contest began with Boulter showing early signs of control. She created numerous opportunities to take the lead, earning 11 break points in the opening set.
But her inability to capitalize, converting just one proved costly, as Kessler made the most of her own chances, converting two of five break points to take the set.
Boulter responded in the second set with a renewed sense of purpose, tightening her service games and not facing a single break point. Her consistent play helped her level the match and briefly reclaim momentum.
In the deciding set, Boulter surged ahead to a 4-2 lead, seemingly on course for another semi-final appearance.
But the tide turned sharply as Kessler mounted a stunning comeback, reeling off four consecutive games to clinch the victory and hand Boulter her first defeat at Nottingham in three years.
The loss marks a significant moment for Boulter, who had become a fan favorite at the Wimbledon warm-up event.
Meanwhile, Kessler’s breakthrough win places her firmly on the radar as a potential threat on grass this summer.
