Burrage and Murray spearhead British success in Nottingham

Burrage, who is supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, battled her way to a 7-6(5) 3-6 7-6(4) victory over Tereza Martincova – in a match that took just over three hours.

It was a first grass court win of the season for the 24-year-old, who will now face third seed and Australian Open semi-finalist Magda Linette in the second round.

Harriet Dart, who is also supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, eased past Canada’s Rebecca Marino 6-4 6-2 to safely seal her spot in the second round, where she’ll face fifth seed Anhelina Kalinina.

Elsewhere, British No.1 Katie Boulter prevailed in a battle of the Brits against Emily Appleton, on the latter’s WTA-level debut.

Boulter, who has recently graduated from the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, defeated her compatriot 6-1 6-3 and will face lucky loser Daria Snigur, who produced an upset against defending champion Beatriz Haddad Maia, in the second round. 

Katie Swan was also in action, falling to the experienced Alize Cornet 2-6 6-1 6-4 in her opening round encounter.

In the men’s draw, recently crowned Lexus Surbiton Trophy champion Andy Murray eased his way past Joris De Loore 6-3 6-4 to continue his recent strong form on the surface.

Murray will next face France’s Hugo Grenier, who beat Brit Jan Choinski 6-4 6-4 on Tuesday.

A 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 win for @ArthurFery02 💪

The Brit fights back to defeat Steve Johnson in three sets at the #RothesayOpen Nottingham#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/hmdAApehe6

— LTA (@the_LTA) June 13, 2023

There was an impressive win for Liam Broady, who came from a set down to defeat Japan’s Rio Noguchi 5-7 6-1 6-2 for his first grass court singles victory of the new season, with a second Japanese opponent in the form of Sho Shimabukuro up next.

In a match spread across two days, Arthur Fery battled from a set down to beat former world No.21 Steve Johnson 4-6 6-3 6-3 to secure his first Challenger Tour win.

Action resumed at 2-1 on serve on Tuesday afternoon, with the Brit dropping just one game on Tuesday to set up a second round meeting against fifth seed Dominik Koepfer.

Ryan Peniston kept his campaign alive with a confident 6-2 6-1 win over Mattia Bellucci, while wildcard George Loffhagen defeated Otto Virtanen 6-3 7-6 (6) to book a meeting against qualifier Juncheng Shang.

With eight winners today, a total of nine British players will compete in the second round across Wednesday and Thursday.

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website