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Andy Murray, Katie Boulter clinch British one-two in Nottingham

Andy Murray, Katie Boulter clinch British one-two in Nottingham
© Reuters
Andy Murray and Katie Boulter continue Great Britain's terrific start to the grass-court season by clinching a home one-two at the Nottingham Open on Sunday.

Andy Murray and Katie Boulter continued Great Britain's terrific start to the grass-court season by clinching a home one-two at the Nottingham Open on Sunday.

Murray triumphed over Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 6-4 6-4 in the men's Challenger final, before Boulter won her first-ever WTA Tour crown with a 6-3 6-3 triumph over Jodie Burrage.

Having already come up trumps at Surbiton earlier this month, Murray's decision to skip the French Open and focus on the run-up to Wimbledon is paying dividends, as the three-time Grand Slam winner sealed his second triumph in the space of two weeks.

Taking on world number 181 Cazaux, Murray prevailed with one hour and 46 minutes on the clock in front of his wife and children, who celebrated the 36-year-old's fitting success on Father's Day.

Murray asserted his dominance early on against Cazaux with the double break before failing to serve out the first set, but he successfully did so at the second time of asking with an ace.

Cazaux was digging in for a fight after the restart, but a succession of shots into the net gifted Murray the crucial break, and he sealed the win on his first match point for his 10th Challenger crown.

Katie Boulter poses with the trophy after winning the Nottingham Open on June 18, 2023© Reuters

Straight after Murray's success, Boulter and Burrage took the court for the first all-British WTA final since Sue Barker defeated Virginia Wade in San Francisco in 1977, as both players vied for their maiden tour-level crowns.

Boulter - who had overtaken Emma Raducanu as British number one before the start of the tournament - had already seen off three compatriots in Emily Appleton, Harriet Dart and Heather Watson to progress to Sunday's final and got off to a dream start, breaking Burrage in the opening game with an array of brilliant returns.

Burrage then double-faulted in the fifth game to hand Boulter the double break, but the latter missed the chance to serve out the set in the eighth game, sending a backhand long to give Burrage a chance.

However, the 24-year-old's reprieve was short-lived as Boulter broke back straight away to take the first set, and the writing was on the wall for Burrage as she quickly fell 3-0 down in the second.

Boulter missed one Championship point on a wide backhand - sparking a sigh of relief from Burrage - but the latter subsequently overcooked a forehand on match point as Boulter celebrated a long-awaited WTA crown.

"I dreamed of this moment, to win this tournament, as a little girl when I was four years old. Having come here as a fan and now as a player and somehow find a way to win it means more than everything to me," Boulter said on the court.

"I've played so many British players, we appreciate an all-British final and what an incredible achievement it is. I'm definitely going to be sleeping with this trophy tonight."

Murray and his fellow male players will continue the build-up to Wimbledon at Queen's Club next week, while Boulter, Burrage and Harriet Dart go for glory in the Birmingham Classic.

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Ben Knapton

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Katie Boulter reacts at the Birmingham Classic on June 15, 2022
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