Wimbledon 2025: “It was a very good day in the office” - Sonay Kartal seals impressive victory to reach third round
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Sonay Kartal has stormed into the third round at Wimbledon for the second successive year after dismantling Viktoriya Tomova in a devastating display.
Competing in front of another packed out No.3 Court, Kartal clocked a 6-2, 6-2 win in just over an hour to become the first Brit to punch their ticket to the next round.
In the third round she’ll face either a tricky challenge in the form of 12th seed Diana Shnaider or qualifier Diane Parry, as she bids to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
“I knew that match was going to be tough,” Kartal beamed in her post-court interview. “She’s an incredible competitor and I knew I was going to have to go out and win that match.
"In the warm-up this morning I felt good, on court today I felt good and feel like I was seeing and hitting it really clean."
Last year’s tournament saw Kartal announce her arrival on the Grand Slam stage as she fought through three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw where she defeated Sorana Cirstea and Clara Burel before bowing out to Coco Gauff in the third round.
However, Kartal has arrived a completely different player to the one competing in SW19 12 months ago. Now established just outside the world’s top 50, and a maiden WTA title to her name in Tunisia, the Brighton-born star is progressing and growing with confidence every single week.
“I wanted to back up the run I had last year. I didn’t want people to think it was one or two good weeks out of the year. This tournament I really wanted to show that I’m at this level and I can consistently play. After the match against Jelena (Ostapenko) I had so much confidence. With each match on the grass and out here I’m growing with confidence.
I just had one of those days where it was a very good day in the office.
“On the court I’m pretty tunnel vision, I don’t like to give too much away. I just like to keep calm and try and see out the match.
"The last 12 months I’ve obviously thrown myself onto the scene - top 50 and I’m playing all the bigger matches. This year, I only wanted to play the bigger matches just to get used to playing the best players on tour day in and day out.
“I think each match I’m growing in confidence, I feel like I’m playing better, I’m playing with more freedom and much more confidence in my game.”
Just two days after knocking out 21st seed Ostapenko in three sets, it was no surprise Kartal made a quick start to her second round clash against the world No.111.
The Briton looked to apply the pressure early on the Bulgarian’s serve - pulling her opponent out wide before redirecting the ball to the opposite corner to bring up the first break points of the match at 3-2. Tomova might have been able to save one but a long backhand eventually handed Kartal the breakthrough.
Kartal’s serving proved a big difference in the opening set - landing 72% of first serve in and winning 78% of the points as she cruised ahead to a one set lead without facing a break point.
The British No.3 placed herself in the driving seat as she raced out to a 4-0 lead in just under 20 minutes before the Bulgarian quickly broke to love to halt Kartal’s momentum and reduce the deficit.
With a chance to serve out the match just one game away, Kartal looked to wrap up proceedings quickly - opening up a 40-0 lead at 5-2. The 23-year-old looked to get on top of the rallies and after maneuvering Tomova from corner to corner, was eventually rewarded as the Bulgarin fired a slice forehand long to book her spot in the third round at SW19 once again.
There's still plenty of British action to come on day three at Wimbledon - keep up with the latest results and updates
