Boulter leads British charge at Nottingham Open

Defending champion Katie Boulter defeated New Zealands Lulu Sun 6-2 6-2 at the Nottingham Open on Tuesday as four Britons advanced to the last 16.

Joining eighth seed Boulter were Mingge Xu, Sonay Kartal, and Francesca Jones, though Boulter and Kartal are set to face each other in the next round.

Ive played enough of them now. Its just another match for me. I have so much respect for Sonay, shes an incredible tennis player, said Boulter.

Ive always said to her that shes going to pass my ranking. I know how good she can be and dangerous. We actually played a really close match on grass quite a few years ago so I know its going to be an absolute battle.

Boulter, currently on an 11-match winning streak at her home tournament, is aiming to become the first player in Nottingham Open history to claim three consecutive titles.

The 17-year-old Xu beat American Katie Volynets 6-3 6-3, setting up a clash with Polish sixth seed Magda Linette, who overcame Filipino Alexandra Eala 6-4 6-3.

Jones defeated compatriot Harriet Dart 7-5 6-4 and will now face Czech seventh seed Linda Noskova. Slovakias Rebecca Sramkova battled past Germanys Laura Siegemund 7-6(2) 4-6 7-6(6) and is set to meet fourth seed Yulia Putintseva.

The winner between top seed Beatriz Haddad Maia and American McCartney Kessler will take on Chinas Zhu Lin, while Canadian fifth seed Leylah Fernandez will play Spains Cristina Bucsa, who defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3 6-3. REUTERS

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