Wuhan Open 2026: Sonay Kartal beats Elina Svitolina to reach first WTA 1000 semi-final
• 2 minute read
Sonay Kartal has broken new ground after booking her place in a maiden WTA 1000 semi-final at the Wuhan Open.
The British star battled past fifth seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in an hour and 59 minutes to claim her second top-10 victory of her career, adding to last year’s win over Mirra Andreeva at the China Open.
Kartal became only the second British woman to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final since the format's introduction, following in the footsteps of Johanna Konta.
Speaking after the win, she said, “I think going into that match, despite winning the first set pretty comfortably, I know what a great fighter she is. I knew that until the very last point was played I was never safe.
“I’m super proud of the determination I showed in that match, and I just think it was solid composure from me throughout”
“I’m breaking new ground this week, I’ve never reached the semis of a 1000. I absolutely love playing here and playing on these courts. The atmosphere for both of us was absolutely amazing so a bit thank you to you guys in the crowd.”
Standing in the way of Kartal and a place in a maiden WTA 1000 final is Jelena Ostapenko, who has been in red-hot form herself this week - knocking out second seed Jessica Pegula and 11th seed Diana Shnaider.
It’ll mark a third career meeting between Kartal and Ostapenko, with the head-to-head currently tied at 1-1. Both of their previous meetings came on grass.
I’m super proud of the determination I showed in that match, and I just think it was solid composure from me throughout.
Competing in just her third tournament since returning from a six-month injury lay-off, Kartal has enjoyed a remarkable week in Wuhan.
The 24-year-old opened her campaign with a straight-sets victory over world No.48 Anhelina Kalinina before reeling off three consecutive wins against seeded opponents, defeating world No.12 Belinda Bencic, two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini and world No.6 Svitolina.
Kartal picked up where she left off in her previous match against Paolini - breaking Svitolina at the first opportunity. The British No.5 held firm on serve - dropping just five points in the opener to escape the set without facing a single break point.
The 24-year-old maintained the pressure throughout the opener and struck again at 5-2, capitalising on one of Svitolina’s 15 unforced errors to move a set away from the semi-finals.
However, the world No.6 drew on all her experience to haul herself back into the contest, raising her level significantly on serve in the second set and converting two of her seven break point opportunities to force a deciding set.
Both players gave little away on serve in a tightly contested deciding set. The pair traded blows from the baseline but it was Kartal who carved out the first and only break point chance at 5-4 as Svitolina served to stay in the match.
The Brit produced a searing backhand that pinned Svitolina deep behind the baseline before the fifth seed fired long, sealing a landmark victory for Kartal, who secured her place in a second WTA Tour-level semi-final.
How to watch Sonay Kartal at the Wuhan Open
You can watch Kartal's semi-final against Ostapenko at the Wuhan Open exclusively on Sky Sports Tennis and NOW TV.
