British tennis player Sonay Kartal has reached the biggest final of her career after defeating Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets at the Wuhan Open. Kartal, ranked world No. 170 at the start of the tournament, secured a 7-6 (9), 7-6 (5) victory on Saturday, overcoming deficits in both sets and saving six set points along the way.
This victory marks a remarkable comeback for the 24-year-old, who had been sidelined for six months due to a back injury. Since her return to top-level competition this month, Kartal has shown impressive form with notable victories over established players such as Belinda Bencic, Jasmine Paolini, and Elina Svitolina.
Kartal’s success at the Wuhan Open makes her the lowest-ranked player to reach a WTA 1000 final since the format began in 2009. Her performance guarantees her entry into the world’s top 50 in the next rankings update, surpassing Katie Boulter to become Britain’s new women’s singles No. 1.
In her match against Ostapenko, Kartal demonstrated significant mental resilience, recovering from crucial set points to win two demanding tiebreaks. She described the match as one of the toughest of her career, underscoring her determination and focus.
Kartal first gained attention by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2025, but her progress was interrupted by injury. Her recent performances in China indicate a return to form and a potential rise among the leading players on the women’s tour.
In the other semi-final, Poland’s Maja Chwalińska defeated compatriot Iga Świątek 7-5, 6-1. Świątek struggled with a left-thigh injury during the match, requiring a medical timeout before continuing with her leg bandaged.