Sonay Kartal’s dream week continued as she beat former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko at the Wuhan Open to reach the biggest final of her career.
British number five Kartal is playing in only her third event since returning from a six-month absence with a back injury, but she now stands one more victory away from a WTA 1,000 title – one of the most prestigious prizes outside of the Grand Slams.
The 24-year-old’s composure helped her secure a 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-5) victory in a pulsating semi-final against Latvia’s Ostapenko.
Kartal trailed 4-1 in both sets but remained level-headed and took advantage when 34th-ranked Ostapenko stuttered in high-pressure moments.
Remarkably, Kartal survived three set points in the first set, and three more set points in the second, to secure a victory which will long live in the memory.
“That was probably one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played,” said Kartal.
“At times she is unplayable and you have to ride that wave. Mentally, this is one of the best performances of my career.”
The world number 170 is the lowest-ranked player to reach a WTA 1,000 final since the format was introduced in 1990.
Kartal, who was ranked 54th immediately before her long lay-off, will play either six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek or French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska in Sunday’s final.
Reaching the final means Kartal, who has been as high as 44th in the world, will return to the world’s top 50 and become Britain’s number one player when the next rankings are released on Monday.
