Andy Murray claims Nottingham Open to extend winning streak
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Andy Murray (above) followed up his win at Surbiton last week with a flawless display to beat Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4 on June 18.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Andy Murray claimed a second title in two weeks at the Nottingham Open on Sunday to continue his fine preparation for Wimbledon.
The three-time Grand Slam champion followed up his win at Surbiton previously
He delivered a dominant serving performance, winning 83 per cent (24 of 29) of points behind his first delivery, to prevail after 1hr 46min at the lower-tier Challenger 125 event.
“It was a really good week. I really enjoyed my time here. The courts have played brilliantly. The ground staff did an excellent job,” said Murray, who skipped the French Open to focus on the grass-court swing.
“I played really well and got better as the week went on and I’m glad to get through – on to Queen’s. I’m absolutely pumped.”
Murray’s 10-match winning streak is now his best since he topped the world rankings in 2017 and before he required surgery for a career-threatening hip injury.
After winning two Challenger Tour events, the 36-year-old faces a step up in quality when he heads to the ATP 500 event at Queen’s Club this week, where he will face Australian world No. 18 Alex de Minaur in the first round.
But a strong showing at the tournament he has won five times could improve the Scot’s ranking sufficiently to be seeded at Wimbledon, where he was the champion in 2013 and 2016.
In the women’s final, Katie Boulter won her first WTA Tour title on Sunday, beating Jodie Burrage 6-3, 6-3 in the first all-British final at this level for 46 years.
Boulter cemented her position as the British No. 1 and will move to a career high inside the world’s top 80.
“I’m definitely going to be sleeping with this trophy tonight,” said the 26-year-old, who grew up in nearby Leicester.
“I dreamt of this moment since I was a little girl, training here at four or five years old, coming here as a fan and now having coming here as a player. I dreamt big and it means more than everything to me.”
The last all-British final on the WTA Tour was in 1977, when Sue Barker beat Virginia Wade in San Francisco.
“We appreciate it’s an all-British final and what an incredible achievement it is,” added Boulter. AFP, REUTERS
