Three British players reach Nottingham Open semifinals

NOTTINGHAM, England — Three British players reached the semifinals of the grass-court Nottingham Open on Friday in a boost to the nation that will host Wimbledon in a couple of weeks.

Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage and Heather Watson – all placed outside the top 100 in the world ranking – ensured there will be a British finalist to continue a week of surprises at the Wimbledon warmup event.

Burrage, ranked No. 131, reached the semifinals of a WTA event for the first time with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win over Magdalena Frech of Poland.

New British No. 1 Katie Boulter, ranked No. 126, beat compatriot Harriet Dart 6-3, 7-5 and No. 195-ranked Watson made it three Brits in the semis by defeating Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland 7-6 (2), 7-5.

Alize Cornet played Elizabeth Mandlik in the fourth quarterfinal later.

None of the eight seeded players got past the second round of the event.