The Brits have dominated the first WTA grass-court event of the season in Nottingham. In a 32-woman draw that started with seven players from Great Britain, three have advanced to semifinal Saturday at the 2023 Rothesay Open. We will get a matchup from countrywomen as Katie Boulter takes on Heather Watson. In the other semifinal, veteran Frenchwoman Alize Cornet will hope to break up an all-Brit final by taking down Jodie Burrage. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for both matches. But who will advance?
WTA Nottingham Semifinal Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Heather Watson
Head-to-Head: Boulter 2-1 Watson
Katie Boulter and Heather Watson will square off for the fourth time, and second this year. Boulter bested Watson 6-1 6-3 earlier this year in Canberra. Both women have had a solid season, with most of their damage at the ITF level. Being five years older, Watson has much more experience in tour-level semifinals. That said, it is hard to ignore how well Boulter has been playing. She holds a 16-3 record since the beginning of May and has dropped just three sets in seven grass-court matches this year. I believe she cruises to her first WTA final appearance.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
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Alize Cornet vs Jodie Burrage
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Alize Cornet, current world No. 72, is the highest-ranked player left in this field. The former top-15’er has not had a strong season but has surprisingly looked in form on what has historically been her worst surface. She takes on 24-year-old Jodie Burrage, who has pulled off three upsets to reach her first WTA semifinal. Burrage has the tools to beat Cornet, but will she be able to hold her nerve in the biggest match of her career? Ultimately, I trust the consistency of the Frenchwoman to outlast her British counterpart.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
