China Open 2025: Sonay Kartal loses out to Linda Noskova in quarter-finals
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Sonay Kartal’s impressive run at the WTA 1000 China Open ended in the quarter-finals – losing out to 26th seed Linda Noskova in straight sets.
Competing in her first WTA quarter-final since her title run in Monastir last year – Kartal was defeated by Czech star Noskova 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 11 minutes.
“I’m obviously disappointed with the result but there were times when she played lights out tennis and sometimes you’ve just got to ride the wave,” Kartal said. “I had the chances but got broken. I’m not overly pleased with the performance but regardless, it’s been an incredible week.”
This was the British No.3’s maiden appearance in the quarter-final stages of a WTA 1000 event coming off the back of her career-best win over world No.5 Mirrra Andreeva in the last round.
It has been a statement run from the 23-year-old from Brighton – also knocking out 14th seed Daria Kasatkina, Lexus Eastbourne Open champion Maya Joint and American Alycia Parks en route to the last eight.
“I feel like it’s the first time I’ve bought it to the match court – the new style I want to play," she added. "To be able to do it and have the convincing results I did in the previous rounds, I think I’m on the right path and its given me a lot of confidence.
“I think I’ve proved to myself if I add one or two more things to my game, I can take my level to a top 10 level and higher than I’m ranked now.
“I’ve done a lot of work off the court to believe in my game style. There are snippets throughout the year that have shown that like here Indian Wells, Wimbledon. I’m going to continue to have that belief for the rest of the season and set myself up to be fresh at the start of next year.”
Kartal found herself trailing early against world No.27 Noskova as the Czech broke in the opening game – but the Briton showed her resilience to quickly fire back and level at 3-3.
However, the serve was an issue for Kartal throughout the match, winning just 41% (7/17) points behind her first serve in the opening set and she paid the price in the closing games. Noskova reeled off back-to-back breaks from 3-3 to see out the set and put one foot into the semi-finals.
It was a better start for Kartal in the second set, who like her opponent, broke on the first game but unfortunately couldn’t make the advantage count.
Noskova managed to get back on level terms, before clinching a fifth break of the match at 5-4 to secure the win – finishing on 30 winners to Kartal’s 15.
Despite the loss, it’s been a fantastic week for the young British star – who is supported by the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme, presented by Lexus, the highest level of support for developing players.
In the live WTA rankings, Kartal has jumped 21 places to world No.60, which would see her overtake Katie Boulter to become the new British No.2 next week.
Earlier in the week, Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara won the China Open men's doubles title.
