WATCH: ‘Catfight?’ – Katie Boulter engages in a HEATED verbal duel with countrywoman Harriet Dart after beating her in Nottingham

Katie Boulter booked herself a ticket to the 2023 Rothesay Open semifinal by downing Harriet Dart.

WATCH: ‘Catfight?’ – Katie Boulter engages in a HEATED verbal duel with countrywoman Harriet Dart after beating her in Nottingham

Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart (Image via The Times)

When competing for a special prize, the intensity levels will always be high. A few emotions, celebrations and actions can trigger big time and can give life to conversations. It’s not necessary that it happens only at Grand Slams. These fiery exchanges can take place at normal ATP or WTA matches also. Nottingham saw a similar exchange when two local Brits came face to face on the court.

Katie Boulter, now the British no. 1 on the women’s side, faced Harriet Dart in a quarter-final encounter. With the stakes being high, both women were giving it their all. Boulter lived up to her status as British no. 1 as she quickly wrapped up the first set 6-3. There was a slight bit of fightback from Dart as the scoreline was 5-5 in the second set.

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However, Boulter quickly raised her level and eventually won the second set 7-5. She finished the match in almost 90 mins. Though something she did after winning the match didn’t impress her opponent. It was a celebration from the Stan Wawrinka school of celebrations. She pointed towards her opponent’s head and said a few words as both players met at the net.

Dart made sure she makes her opponent know that she wasn’t impressed with the celebration. Boulter quickly defended herself and clarified, “It’s nothing personal. Mate, I do it every single match.” To everyone’s luck, it didn’t really become a big issue and was solved right there. However, the trigger switch was certainly on.

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Katie Boulter shows levels of consistency on the court

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Katie Boulter (Image via Sky Sports)

After being a little patchy all year, Katie Boulter seems to have finally found her feet in the 2023 Grass season. Having recently crossed Emma Raducanu to become the no. 1 British player on the tour, she has gained immense confidence.

Back-to-back semi-final appearances would do her rankings a whole world of good. She is also getting the much-needed rhythm before the start of the Wimbledon.

She would love to have a deep run at the Championships and give herself the best chance to jump up the rankings. She has been a promising talent from the time she stepped on the court, and she would love to go on with the tag.

After her convincing win over Harriet Dart, the no. 1 Brit had this to say. “It was a battle out there. You could see how much it meant to me to get through that match. It’s awful playing a friend but I tried to play the ball and not the player. Today it was my day.”

The focus is clearly reflecting of Boulter’s words as she prepares to take down the best in her sport. She will next face another local in the form of Heather Watson for a place in the final.

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