Sonay Kartal wins first career WTA Tour title at Jasmin Open in Tunisia
Sonay Kartal beat Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova in Sunday’s final in Tunisia to claim victory in her first WTA Tour final; she now joins Katie Boulter as a winner on the WTA Tour in 2024
Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal has won the Jasmin Open in Tunisia to claim her first title on the WTA Tour following a captivating battle with Rebecca Sramkova.
Kartal, a former junior rival of Emma Raducanu, emerged from qualifying in Monastir and has played superbly throughout the week, culminating in a maiden title as she defeated Sramkova in straight sets in the final on Sunday.
The 22-year-old from Brighton, who lost to American superstar Coco Gauff in the third round at Wimbledon earlier this year, now joins Katie Boulter as a British WTA Tour winner this season, by taking victory 6-3 7-5 following what became a hard-fought battle.
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The win over the Slovakian, who was also playing in her first WTA Tour final, means Kartal will achieve a new career-high ranking and break into the top 100 of the women’s singles rankings for the first time.
Kartal was positive throughout the first set and broke her opponent three times, as well as smashing in three aces, as the Brit perhaps felt the benefits of an early finish to her semi-final – when Germany’s Eva Lys retired through illness after less than half an hour – to wrap up the opener in 47 minutes by playing assertive tennis and attacking her opponent’s serve.
A strong finish to the first set and a strong start to the second saw Kartal race into a 4-1 lead before Sramkova broke back and made life difficult for the British No 4-ranked women’s player.
An attritional eighth game, lasting over 10 minutes, in the second set challenged the mettle of both players, as Kartal saved various break points and spurned chances to win the game of her own before Sramkova converted her fourth opportunity to break and level the set at 4-4.
Another couple of breaks followed before, with both players struggling to hold serve, Kartal took advantage of sluggish serving from a tiring Sramkova to break for a fourth time in the set give herself a second chance to serve for the match.
Importantly, she won her opening point on serve, and produced a magnificent winner to set up championship point. Kartal only needed one of those, and secured victory after a marathon second set lasting one hour and 10 minutes.
Kartal: I was really wanting that revenge
Kartal revealed following the match that she was very much motivated by overcoming the defeat she suffered to Sramkova when the pair faced each other for the first time in Bath last year.
The Slovakian won that game, another battle which involved two tie-breaks, after coming back from a set down.
The Jasmin Open champion was determined that the same was not going to happen again on Sunday.
“Firstly, Rebecca, great match today,” said Kartal. “I remember you beat me just over a year ago so I was really wanting that revenge today and to your team and to your coach, you’ve had an incredible week and I wish you guys the best for the rest of the year.”
For Sramkova, she pointed out that fatigue probably affected her during the match.
“I tried my best but I was too tired today,” admitted Sramkova, who was gracious in defeat.
Kartal, who was very composed in giving her speech following her first tournament triumph, added: “To coach Ben [Reeves], we’ve had a great couple of months. To everyone watching back home – I know there were a few coaches watching back home –this title is a team effort and thank you guys so much for the support and hopefully see you again next year.”
What else is coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in September?
- Korea Open – WTA 500 (16 to 22 September – with Emma Raducanu in action)Thailand Open – WTA 250 (16 to 22 September)Chengdu Open – ATP 250 (17 to 24 September)Hangzhou Open – ATP 250 (18 to 24 September)Japan Open – ATP 500 (25 September to 1 October)China Open – ATP 500 (26 September to 2 October)China Open – WTA 1000 (25 September to 6 October)
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