Arabic version: كارتال تبلغ أول نهائي لها في بطولات WTA 1000 في ووهان

According to BBC News, Sonay Kartal beat Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-5) at the Wuhan Open to reach the first WTA 1,000 final of her career. The British number five recovered from 4-1 down in both sets and saved three set points in each set against the Latvian former Grand Slam champion.

Kartal, 24, is playing only her third event since returning from a six-month absence with a back injury. Her win over Ostapenko puts her one victory away from a WTA 1,000 title, one of the leading prizes in the sport outside the Grand Slams. She is the first British player to reach a WTA 1,000 final since Johanna Konta in 2019.

“That was probably one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played,” Kartal said. “At times she is unplayable and you have to ride that wave. Mentally, this is one of the best performances of my career.” Ostapenko finished with 50 winners and nine aces, but Kartal’s composure proved decisive in two dramatic tie-breaks.

Ranked world number 170, Kartal is the lowest-ranked player to reach a WTA 1,000 final since the format was introduced in 1990. She will face French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska in Sunday’s final after the Pole beat six-time major champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 6-1. Kartal’s run guarantees that she will return to the world’s top 50 and become Britain’s number one when the next rankings are released on Monday.