Kartal reaches Wuhan final after saving six set points
Sonay Kartal is one win from a WTA 1,000 title, but can her injury comeback carry her through the final?
On October 17, Sonay Kartal beat Jelena Ostapenko in two tiebreaks at the Wuhan Open to reach her first WTA 1,000 final.
Sonay Kartal defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-5), recovering from 4-1 down in both sets and saving six set points altogether. [23] Ranked 170th and playing only her third event after a six-month back-injury absence, she became the lowest-ranked WTA 1,000 finalist since the format began…
Sonay Kartal defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-5), recovering from 4-1 down in both sets and saving six set points altogether. [23] Ranked 170th and playing only her third event after a six-month back-injury absence, she became the lowest-ranked WTA 1,000 finalist since the format began in 1990. [22][23]
Why it matters: The final brings both a title opportunity and a concrete ranking change: Kartal will return to the top 50 and become Britain's number one when Monday's rankings are released. She is the first British player to reach this level of final since Johanna Konta in 2019. [23]
Key insights: Kartal saved three set points in each set, so her straight-sets victory concealed repeated opportunities for Ostapenko to take control. [23] | Her previous career-high ranking was 44th; the Wuhan run takes her back into the top 50 from No. 170. [23] | Sunday's opponent is Maja Chwalinska, who defeated Iga Swiatek in the other semifinal. [23]
Cheatsheet facts: What happened: Kartal reached her first WTA 1,000 final with two tiebreak wins over Ostapenko. [22][23] | The catch: She trailed 4-1 in both sets and had to save six set points to advance. [23] | What's next: Kartal faces Maja Chwalinska in Sunday's final; Monday's rankings will put her in the top 50 and at British number one. [23]