Katie Boulter overcame Sonay Kartal in a close-fought battle of the Brits at the Nottingham Open but believes her rival will soon surpass her in the rankings.

Katie Boulter survived a real scare against compatriot Sonay Kartal to maintain her hopes of winning a third successive Lexus Nottingham Open title. Boulter, who was replaced this week as British number one by Emma Raducanu, won her maiden WTA Tour title in Nottingham two years ago and backed it up last summer.

Two-times defending champion Katie Boulter was given a real scare before battling past fellow Briton Sonay Kartal 6-4 1-6 7-5 to reach the Nottingham Open quarter-finals on Thursday.