China Open 2025: Sonay Kartal ousts Mirra Andreeva to reach maiden WTA 1000 quarter-final
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Sonay Kartal is into her first WTA 1000 quarter-final at the China Open after clinching the biggest win of her career to date against world No.5 Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round.
It was a devastating performance from Kartal, who booked her spot in the final eight after securing a gutsy 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 win over fourth seed Andreeva in two hours and 27 minutes.
This marks Kartal’s first win over a WTA top 10 player after previously losing out to Coco Gauff at Wimbledon in 2024, and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at this year’s Indian Wells.
In the next round, Kartal will take on 26th seed Linda Noskova who earlier beat Anastasia Potapova in straight sets.
“I did say it was going to be far from easy - she's a top 10 player for a very good reason,” Kartal said in her on-court interview. “She made me play my best tennis today so credit to her for making me bring that level. I’m super happy with the level I managed to stick out at the end."
It’s my first time in China and I’ve got incredible memories already so far - it was a privilege to be able to play on this court and in front of this crowd.
“The way I carry myself on the court is one of my biggest assets. If you can look down the other end from me you wouldn’t know whether I’m winning or losing.
"I tried to put that second set behind me, she played some great tennis so I tried to level it out in the third set and keep the scoreboard pressure as tight as I could."
Her win over the world No.5 is the latest highlight in a strong season for the Brit, who also reached the last 16 at Wimbledon and Indian Wells.
Kartal had already beaten Alycia Parks, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint en route to the fourth round and carried that momentum into her clash with two-time French Open semi-finalist and reigning Indian Wells champion Andreeva.
The British No.4 edged out a tight opening set, breaking Andreeva to love in the final game to stun the fourth seed.
However, the two-time WTA titlist managed to turn the tide and take the reigns in the second - dropping just two games on her way to levelling the match to a set apiece.
We've quickly become accustomed to seeing Kartal's cool and composed demeanour on the court and despite letting a one-set lead slip away from her, she maintained her focus in the decider.
With the scoreboard locked at 5-5, Andreeva dug up a late break point on Kartal's serve but the Brit managed to stave off the threat before flipping the pressure back onto her opponent.
The nerves began to creep in for Andreeva when serving to stay in the match and the British No.3 dialed up the intensity to fight her way to deuce.
A first match point came and went for Kartal but a second opportunity quickly followed. A sharp backhand return proved too powerful for the world No.5 to handle as she drifted a forehand long to hand Kartal a ticket to her first WTA 1000 quarter-final.
Their quarter-final clash will mark only the second meeting between the pair, with Czech star Noskova coming through their first round match at this year's Italian Open.
When is Sonay Kartal playing next at the China Open?
Kartal's quarter-final clash against Noskova at the China Open is scheduled for Friday 3 October - timings TBC.
You can watch all coverage of the China Open exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW TV.
