Tennis | WTA Nottingham 2023 | Guaranteed Brit in final as Watson battles Boulter, Burrage takes on Cornet

Table of Contents

By Tony Fairbairn

Heather Watson [Q] v Katie Boulter [WC] | H2H: Boulter leads 2-1
Jodie Burrage v Alize Cornet | H2H: First Meeting

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – A Brit is guaranteed to be in the final as Heather Watson battles Katie Boulter in the first semi-final while Jodie Burrage takes on Alize Cornet in the second semi-final.

Heather Watson [Q] v Katie Boulter [WC] | H2H & Match Fundamentals

Heather Watson v Katie Boulter [WC]	H2H: Boulter leads 2-1
WTA Nottingham 2023	Nottingham, England
Grass (O)	Prize Money: : $11,276
First on Centre Court (11:00 BST)	Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Grass 2023)

H2H:	Heather Watson (WR 195)	Katie Boulter (WR 126)
Tournament Previous Best	R2 (2018, 2021, 2022)	QF (2018, 2021)
1^st Serve Return Points Won %	32.6	52.2
Return Points Won %	46.1	53.9
Break Point Conversion %	51.5	44
Break Point Saved %	40	61.5
Total Points Won %	55.9	56.6

It’s been a week to remember for Heather Watson as the world number 195 is into her firsr Nottingham semi-final. Another rollercoaster of emotions for Watson ended in an impressive straight sets win over Viktorija Golubic as she continues to peak on grass. Now Watson will look to continue her clinical break point conversion rate as the Brit aims for her third final of the season and her first at a WTA event.

Next for Watson is Katie Boulter who has continued to show why she deserves to be British number one at the moment as she downed Harriet Dart in straight sets. Boulter’s serving and point construction has improved over the last year as she will aim to be a threat throughout this grass court season. Now Boulter looks to continue her consistent form as she aims for a spot in the Nottingham final and a potential place in the world’s top 100 ahead of Wimbledon.

Watson’s efficient returning will be a threat to Boulter’s serving however the British number one’s confidence and impressive play from the baseline should prove too much in this thrilling contest between two players who look to cause a stir at Wimbledon this year.

Prediction: Boulter in three sets.

Jodie Burrage v Alize Cornet | H2H & Match Fundamentals

Jodie Burrage v Alize Cornet	H2H: First Meeting
WTA Nottingham 2023	Nottingham, England
Grass (O)	Prize Money: :$11,276
Second on Centre Court (12:30 BST)	Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Grass 2023)

H2H:	Jodie Burrage (WR 131)	Alize Cornet (WR 72)
Tournament Previous Best	R2 (2022)	N/A
1^st Serve Return Points Won %	34.1	35.8
Return Points Won %	38	43.4
Break Point Conversion %	33.3	43.8
Break Point Saved %	72.2	62.5
Total Points Won %	49.6	53.7

Another impressive performance from Jodie Burrage sees the Brit into the last four as she continues to build on a positive season for the Brit. Burrage had to dig deep against Magdalena Frech but the Brit edged the match 7-5 in the third as the world number 131 will look to push her fellow Brits to the limit over the grass court season in search of the British number one spot.

After beating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon last year, there are no signs of Alize Cornet slowing down as the Frenchwoman has continued her terrific form in Nottingham. After battling past Katie Swan in the opening round, Cornet produced a vintage performance to defeat top seed Maria Sakkari and backed that up with a win over Elizabeth Mandlik. Now Cornet will look to reach her first final of the season in Nottingham.

Burrage will continue to show consistency from the baseline and look to display attacking tennis on return. However Cornet’s variety and experience should prove too strong for the Brit even if Burrage pushes the Frenchwoman to her limits.

Prediction: Cornet in three sets.