NEW YORK — Britain's Sonay Kartal described feeling "helpless" on court as her US Open campaign ended in a straight-sets first-round defeat to 29th seed Anhelina Kalinina, headlining a dismal day for the British contingent that saw four players exit Flushing Meadows.
Kartal, who had battled through three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw, was unable to replicate the form that saw her reach the third round at Wimbledon earlier this summer. The 22-year-old from Brighton was defeated 6-2, 6-0 by the experienced Ukrainian in a match that lasted just 63 minutes on Court 6.
Speaking to reporters after the match, a visibly disappointed Kartal was candid about her performance. "It's one of those days where you just feel a bit helpless out there," she admitted. "Nothing was really working. I tried to change things up, but she was just too solid and I made too many errors. It’s a tough pill to swallow."
Kalinina, a quarter-finalist at the Italian Open last year, proved too consistent and powerful from the baseline, capitalizing on a high unforced error count from the British qualifier. The loss capped a disappointing Tuesday for British tennis, with Jan Choinski, Lily Miyazaki, and Andy Murray also bowing out.
A Tough Day at the Office
From the outset, Kartal struggled to find her rhythm. Kalinina broke her serve in the opening game, setting the tone for a match where Kartal would win just 45% of points on her first serve and face break points in nearly every service game. The first set was over in 35 minutes, and the second set offered no reprieve for the world No. 298.
The statistics painted a bleak picture of the one-sided contest:
- Kartal hit 15 winners but committed 30 unforced errors.
- She failed to earn a single break point opportunity.
- Kalinina won 88% of points behind her first serve.
- The Ukrainian converted 5 of her 11 break point chances.
"She didn't give me anything for free," Kartal analyzed. "Every point felt like a battle, and on a day when you're not feeling your best, that's incredibly difficult. I couldn't find my range, and she was just relentless."
British Exodus on Day Two
Kartal's defeat was part of a wave of early exits for British players. Earlier in the day, Jan Choinski put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell to world No. 8 Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-7(7), 3-6, 4-6. Lily Miyazaki, who also came through qualifying, was defeated 6-3, 6-3 by Russia's Margarita Betova.
The biggest shock of the day, however, was the loss of former champion Andy Murray. The three-time Grand Slam winner suffered a grueling five-set defeat to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, 3-6, 4-6, 1-6. Murray's loss, following a promising start, was a significant blow to British hopes in the men's draw.
The results mean that only four British players remain in the singles draws: Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper in the men's event, and Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage in the women's. The early departures highlight the continued challenges faced by British players outside of the very top tier on the sport's biggest stages.
Perspective After a Disappointing Loss
Despite the heavy nature of the loss, Kartal was keen to maintain perspective. Her journey through qualifying was a significant achievement in itself, and her breakthrough at Wimbledon proved her capability to compete at this level. "It's one match," she said. "It hurts right now, but I have to remember the bigger picture. I've had a great summer, and I'm main draw of Slams now. I belong here."
Her coach will undoubtedly focus on the need for greater consistency and a more reliable Plan B when her aggressive game is not firing. For a player still early in her career on the main tour, these types of matches, however painful, are valuable learning experiences against established top-50 opposition.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2024
Kartal's immediate ranking rise, courtesy of her qualifying points and first-round prize money of $81,000, will provide her with more opportunities to enter WTA-level events directly. The goal now will be to build on the positive moments of her grass-court season and translate that to hard courts.
The defeat at Flushing Meadows is a setback, but not a defining moment. The resilience she showed to come through qualifying is a testament to her character. "I'll take a few days, reset, and then get back to work," she stated. "The season isn't over. There's still a lot to play for and a lot to learn."
For British tennis, the mass exodus on day two is a reminder of the gap that still exists behind the nation's leading players. While Kartal, Miyazaki, and Choinski have shown they can reach the main draws of majors, the next step is converting those appearances into regular wins.
As the attention turns to the remaining Brits, Kartal’s experience serves as a stark example of the fine margins at the highest level of tennis. One off-day against a seeded opponent can lead to a swift exit, but it is the ability to bounce back from such disappointments that often separates the good players from the great ones.
Kartal’s final words summed up the mixture of frustration and determination felt by athletes in these moments: "You have to feel the disappointment, use it as fuel, and then you move on. I'll be back."