Sonay Kartal is into her first-ever WTA 1000 semi-final, having beaten Elina Svitolina earlier today in emphatic fashion.
This marks just the latest big-name scalp for this in-form Brit, who is competing in just her third tournament back since returning from injury.
2026 has been a torrid year for the 24-year-old, who has been forced to miss three out of the four Grand Slams due to injury. As such, her ranking has suffered, dropping outside of the top 100, when it had previously settled at around 50th earlier this season.
Sonay Kartal has the weapons to trouble most on the WTA Tour, but those weapons had been neutralised by her own failing physicality. This week has proven what she can really do when fully fit.
Speaking on court, she spoke about how much resilience it took not just to come through this match against Svitolina, but also about the entire week so far. There are still two matches to go…
Sonay Kartal claims she’s ‘breaking new ground’ by reaching Wuhan Open semi-finals
She began with an assessment of the match and how she knew that Svitolina would not go down without a fight.
Kartal admitted: “I think, you know, going into that match, despite winning the first set pretty comfortably, I knew what a great fighter she is. So I knew that until the very last point was played, I was never safe.
“So, yeah, super proud of the determination I managed to show in that match. And yeah, I just think it was solid composure for me throughout.”
Kartal has become just the second-ever British player to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final since the format’s introduction, joining Johanna Konta on that exclusive list.
On the subject of making history, she added, whilst still on court: “I’m breaking new ground this week. I’ve never reached a semis of a WTA 1000, and like I’ve said, I absolutely love playing here and playing on these courts. The atmosphere was amazing today.”
Sonay Kartal recovers after her 2026 has been ruined by injuries
It’s so refreshing to see Kartal enjoy such a memorable and successful run at an event of this magnitude after the year she has endured.
After all, pretty much since March, it has been a nightmare.
Sonay Kartal is now Britain’s best WTA player… do you agree? 🤔
Is Emma Raducanu still the best? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
After reaching the fourth round of Indian Wells, she then missed six months with a stress fracture in her back, and only made her return to action last month at the Billie Jean King Cup.
However, she has now beaten Anhelina Kalinina, world number 12 Belinda Bencic, two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini, and now Svitolina.
Jelena Ostapenko awaits her for a spot in the Wuhan Open final.
