Sonay Kartal, the British tennis player currently ranked 298th in the world, has astounded the tennis community by securing a place in the third round of Wimbledon 2024. Her inspiring 6-3 5-7 6-3 victory over France’s Clara Burel has made her the first female qualifier from Britain to reach this stage since 1997.
Ranked No. 298 in the world, Kartal had to navigate the qualifying rounds to earn a spot in the singles main draw. She achieved this by pulling off a stunning upset in the first round, defeating the 29th-seed Sorana Cirstea. Kartal continued her winning streak with an impressive win over world No. 45 Burel.
The 22-year-old British No. 9 is now poised to face American tennis sensation Coco Gauff in the third round. Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, is seeded second at Wimbledon this year. Additionally, Emma Raducanu and Lily Miyazaki, the British No. 3 and No. 4, are also aiming to advance to the third round as they compete in the second round matches.
With British spectators cheering her on, Kartal dominated the first set with a 6-3 victory, a crucial step towards her triumph. Although she initially took a commanding 3-0 lead in the second set, her French opponent staged a comeback and eventually won the set 7-5, forcing a decider.
Undeterred, Kartal displayed extraordinary determination in the third set and emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, prompting an eruption of excitement from the supportive home crowd. Her team celebrated the historic win with chants of “Ole, ole, ole, ole, Sonay, Sonay,” reflecting the significance of the moment.
In her emotional on-court interview, Kartal expressed the significance of the day and could not conceal her joy when discussing her upcoming match against world No. 2 Gauff. “It’s going to be a tough match, a fun match,” she remarked with a smile. Born in London and currently residing in Brighton, Kartal is thrilled to advance in her home Grand Slam tournament after early exits in 2022 and 2023.
Additionally, Kartal’s remarkable performance has earned her a prize money of £63,000 for winning in the second round, marking a significant milestone in her career. The British audience eagerly anticipates the upcoming matches featuring top British players such as Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart.
Sonay Kartal’s extraordinary journey at Wimbledon serves as a source of pride and inspiration for tennis enthusiasts across Britain. Her remarkable achievements highlight the talent and determination of British tennis players on the international stage.