KATIE BOULTER won the Nottingham Open for the second successive year after beating Karolina Pliskova in the final on Sunday evening.
The British number one, who earlier beat compatriot Emma Raducanu in the semi-final, prevailed 4-6 6-3 6-2 to claim a third WTA Tour title.
Boulter will be hoping her repeat success can have the same impact as 12 months ago and she will be targeting a deep run at Wimbledon next month and also hope to break into the world’s top 20 for the first time.
Pliskova, who also played her semi-final earlier on Sunday, was defeated in Nottingham for the first time, having won the title in her only previous appearance in 2016.
“This is a little bit of deja vu, I’m not entirely sure if I am dreaming or this has happened,” Boulter said.
“It is incredible to be here, it’s got a special place in my heart, it always will do. It’s been an incredible week for me, mentally tough after a really hard clay court season.”
Boulter looked like she wanted to get the job done quickly and raced into a 4-2 lead in the opening set.
But Pliskova reeled off four successive games to claim the first set.
Boutler rallied, though, again claiming an early break in the second set and this time she held on to it, serving it out to level up.
With the momentum behind her she assumed control by breaking Pliskova twice in the decider to seal more glory.