Kartal Makes History to Reach Wimbledon Fourth Round with Straight-Sets Victory…

Kartal Makes History to Reach Wimbledon Fourth Round with Straight-Sets Victory

 

In a stunning display of composure and power, British rising star Sonay Kartal booked her place in the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career, marking a historic moment for both herself and British tennis. Kartal cruised to a straight-sets victory, defeating her higher-ranked opponent 6-3, 6-4 on Court 1 in front of an electrified home crowd.

The 22-year-old from Brighton had already turned heads with her run through the early rounds, but Friday’s performance cemented her as a genuine threat in the women’s draw. With her fearless baseline hitting, tactical nous, and steely resolve, Kartal outplayed her opponent in all departments, showcasing maturity far beyond her years.

Kartal becomes the first British woman since Johanna Konta in 2019 to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, a remarkable feat considering she entered the tournament as a wildcard. Ranked outside the top 250 just last year, Kartal has rapidly climbed the ranks with a series of impressive performances on the ITF circuit and now on the Grand Slam stage.

Speaking in her post-match interview, a beaming Kartal struggled to contain her emotions: “It’s honestly a dream come true. To be on this stage, playing in front of a British crowd at Wimbledon, and to make it to the second week—it’s unbelievable. I’ve worked so hard for this, and I’m just so proud.”

From the outset, Kartal dictated the tempo of the match. Her forehand, a weapon all tournament long, repeatedly found the corners, pushing her opponent into defensive positions. She broke serve early in both sets and held her nerve under pressure, saving five break points with clutch serving and deft touch at the net.

Her opponent, a seasoned top-30 player, struggled to find rhythm against Kartal’s aggressive yet measured play. Despite a late push in the second set, Kartal stayed calm, closing out the match with an ace—her sixth of the day—before raising her arms in triumph.

Kartal’s victory is not only significant for her personally but also signals a resurgence in British women’s tennis. With Emma Raducanu also making a strong run in the draw, the emergence of Kartal adds depth to a growing pool of British talent ready to compete at the top level.

Wimbledon fans have taken to Kartal’s tenacious spirit and humble demeanor, and her matches have steadily drawn larger crowds. There’s a growing sense that this might be the beginning of something special.

Next, Kartal faces a daunting challenge in the fourth round, with a potential matchup against a former Grand Slam champion. But based on her performances so far, few would count her out.

As Kartal left the court to a standing ovation, one thing was clear: she’s no longer just a promising British talent—she’s a genuine contender making her mark on tennis’s biggest stage. Wimbledon 2025 has a new hometown hero, and her name is Sonay Kartal.