LONDON — Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal delivered standout performances on a historic day for British tennis at Wimbledon, securing victories that underscored the depth of homegrown talent at this year’s Championships. Their wins contributed to a record-breaking six British players advancing to the second round, marking the highest number since 1984.
Boulter, the British No. 1 and defending Nottingham Open champion, showcased her trademark resilience in a hard-fought 7-6(6), 7-5 victory over Germany’s Tatjana Maria. Meanwhile, wildcard Kartal, ranked world No. 298, stunned 29th seed Sorana Cîrstea in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, for her first-ever Grand Slam main-draw win. The victories came on a day when Emma Raducanu, Harriet Dart, and Jack Draper also triumphed, igniting hopes of a British resurgence at SW19.
Boulter Battles Past Maria in Thriller
Boulter’s match on Court 2 was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with the 27-year-old saving three set points in the first-set tiebreak before clinching it 8-6. The second set saw her rally from 3-5 down, winning four consecutive games to seal the match. "I’m so proud of how I stayed in the moment," Boulter said post-match. "Tatjana’s a tricky opponent, but I trusted my game and the crowd was unbelievable. This is why we play—for days like this at Wimbledon."
Key to Boulter’s success was her aggressive baseline play, as she struck 32 winners to Maria’s 18. Her serve, however, wavered at times, with five double faults. Still, she dominated at the net, winning 12 of 15 approaches. The win sets up a second-round clash with France’s Diane Parry, who defeated China’s Wang Xinyu in three sets.
Kartal’s Dream Debut
Sonay Kartal’s victory was arguably the story of the day. The 22-year-old from Brighton, who battled injuries and health issues in recent years, outclassed Cîrstea with fearless tennis. Kartal broke the Romanian’s serve four times and saved all five break points she faced. "I’ve worked so hard for this moment," an emotional Kartal said. "To do it here, with my family watching, is surreal. I just tried to enjoy every point."
Kartal’s performance was a masterclass in composure. Notable stats included:
- Winning 78% of first-serve points
- Converting 4 of 6 break points
- Hitting 21 winners to Cîrstea’s 12
A Historic Day for British Tennis
The success of Boulter and Kartal headlined a watershed day for British players at Wimbledon. For the first time in 40 years, six home players reached the second round:
- Katie Boulter (d. Tatjana Maria)
- Sonay Kartal (d. Sorana Cîrstea)
- Emma Raducanu (d. Renata Zarazúa)
- Harriet Dart (d. Zhuoxuan Bai)
- Jack Draper (d. Elias Ymer)
- Cameron Norrie (d. Facundo Díaz Acosta)
The previous record of five British second-round participants was set in 1997 and matched in 2022. "It’s incredible to see so many of us progressing," said Raducanu. "We push each other in practice, and that’s translating to matches. The future’s bright."
Looking Ahead
Boulter faces a tricky test against Parry, whom she’s never played before. Kartal, meanwhile, meets Belgium’s Greet Minnen, another unseeded player. With favorable draws, both could eye deep runs. "I’m taking it one match at a time," Kartal cautioned, "but I know I belong here now."
As the Championships progress, British fans will hope this record-breaking day is just the beginning. With Boulter’s grit, Kartal’s breakthrough, and a supporting cast of rising stars, Wimbledon 2024 may well be remembered as a turning point for British tennis.