Boulter beats Burrage to take top spot

Katie Boulter beat Jodie Burrage in their final round-robin match at the Progress Tour Women's Championship, although both players had already secured semi-final places.

It means Boulter finishes top of Group Anne Keothavong and will now face Freya Christie, runner-up in Group Elena Baltacha, in the last four.

Alicia Barnett topped Group Elena Baltacha following a 2-6 7-6 6-4 victory over Christie to set up a semi-final against Burrage.

Boulter, who has a protected world ranking of 85 following a serious back injury last year, has relished the return to competitive action this week but faces an opponent who knows everything about her.

“She is my best friend, I’ve known her for multiple years so I think we’ll both get our A games out and she can play some really, really good ball.  She’s clearly hitting it very clean and I’m going to have to fight hard."

In Thursday's other match, Emily Arbuthnott beat Alice Gillan 0-6 6-2 7-5.