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Sonay Kartal Stuns Jelena Ostapenko to Advance to Second Round at Wimbledon

Posted : 30 June 2025

Sonay Kartal kicked off Britain's Wimbledon campaign in emphatic style by overcoming 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko in a gripping first-round encounter. The 23-year-old from Brighton secured a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory on a sun-drenched court at SW19, becoming the first of the 14 British players in action on day one to advance. It marks another milestone in Kartal’s rising career, coming just a year after her breakout performance that saw her reach the third round at the All England Club.

 

Kartal, now ranked significantly higher than when she entered last year as a wildcard, showed resilience and composure throughout the contest. After falling 5-2 behind in the opening set, she saved multiple set points and mounted a stunning comeback to win the next five games and claim the set.

 

Although Ostapenko bounced back strongly in the second set, the Latvian’s frustration mounted as Kartal maintained her focus and dominated the decider with a double break to close out the match.

 

Reflecting on the intense battle, Kartal acknowledged the mental and physical challenge. “That was by far one of the toughest matches I've played,” she admitted. Her preparation this season has included intentionally facing higher-ranked players to build her experience under pressure, a strategy she believes is now paying dividends. The win marks her third over a top-20 opponent this year and reinforces her place among Britain’s brightest tennis prospects.

 

With a record 23 British players competing in the men’s and women’s singles draws—more than in any Wimbledon since 1984—Kartal’s early success sets a promising tone. Her calm demeanor on court stood in contrast to Ostapenko’s visible frustration, as the 2017 French Open champion clashed with fans and coaches during the match. Unfazed, Kartal pressed on, impressing spectators with her tactical play and poise, and now looks ahead to building on her early momentum in round two.

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