Andy Murray ramped up his preparations for Wimbledon by beating Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4 in the Nottingham Open final on Sunday to lift a second successive grasscourt title after his victory in Surbiton last week.

The three-time grand slam champion put in a clinical performance, converting three of his four break points to claim the Challenger Tour title without dropping a set across his five matches in the tournament.

“It was a really good week, I really enjoyed my time here. The courts have played brilliantly, the groundstaff did an excellent job,” Murray said.

“I played really well and got better as the week went on and I’m glad to get through - on to Queen’s. I’m absolutely pumped.”

The 36-year-old Briton, who has resurrected his career after hip resurfacing surgery, skipped the French Open to focus on the grasscourt swing.

He is now No. 38 in the world rankings, a big improvement on the No. 70 position he occupied in February earlier this year. The last time Murray was ranked in the top 40 was in April 2019.

He is next in action at the Queen’s Club Championships, which start on Monday.

Boulter triumphs

Katie Boulter needed an hour and 13 minutes to claim a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jodie Burrage in the first all-British WTA final since 1977.

The triumph also ensures that the 26-year-old retains her status as the British No.1.

“I dreamed of this moment, to win this tournament, as a little girl when I was four years old,” said Boulter, whose title victory was her first on the WTA Tour.

“Having come here as a fan and now as a player and somehow found a way to win it means more than everything to me. I’ve played so many British players, we appreciate an all-British final and what an incredible achievement it is.”

The last time two British women featured in a WTA Tour final was when Sue Barker played Virginia Wade in San Francisco in February 1977.

On Saturday, Boulter and Burrage progressed to the final.

Boulter beat fellow Briton Heather Watson 6-4, 7-5 before Burrage upset France’s Alize Cornet 7-5, 7-5.

“I was not expecting this coming into this week but I’m very, very happy with my performance,” 24-year-old Burrage had said after reaching the final.

“Alize would not be an easy opponent to put away. It’s going to be an amazing final. What an amazing tournament for us.”

It is a stark contrast to the French Open where not one British woman made the main draw.

Reuters