LONDON — Britain’s Sonay Kartal saw her impressive grass-court run come to an abrupt end as she fell to a straight-sets defeat against American Amanda Anisimova in the last 16 of the Rothesay Classic at Queen’s Club.
The 22-year-old wildcard, who had stunned world No. 31 Sorana Cîrstea in the previous round, struggled to find her rhythm against the powerful baseline game of Anisimova, losing 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour. Kartal, ranked No. 298, had been aiming to become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals at Queen’s since Johanna Konta in 2019.
A Tough Battle Against Experience
Anisimova, a former French Open semi-finalist and world No. 21, brought her trademark aggression to the match, dictating play with deep groundstrokes and a relentless serve. Kartal, who had relied on her defensive skills and counterpunching in earlier rounds, found herself on the back foot for much of the contest. "She hits the ball so cleanly and doesn’t give you much time to react," Kartal admitted in her post-match press conference.
Despite the loss, Kartal’s performance this week has been a bright spot for British tennis. Her victories over Cîrstea and France’s Alizé Cornet marked her first WTA main-draw wins, showcasing her potential on grass. "I’ve learned a lot this week, and I know I can compete at this level," she said.
Key Moments That Decided the Match
The match swung decisively in Anisimova’s favor early on, as she broke Kartal’s serve twice in the opening set. The American’s ability to convert break points proved critical:
- Anisimova won 4/5 break points in the first set.
- Kartal struggled with her first-serve percentage, landing just 48%.
- Anisimova’s forehand winners (12 in total) kept Kartal under constant pressure.
Kartal fought back in the second set, breaking Anisimova to level at 3-3, but the American responded immediately with a break of her own. "I had my chances, but she was just too solid when it mattered," Kartal reflected.
What’s Next for Kartal?
Despite the defeat, Kartal’s run at Queen’s will see her rise significantly in the WTA rankings, likely breaking into the top 250 for the first time. Her performance has also earned her a wildcard into next week’s Rothesay International in Eastbourne, where she will look to build on her momentum.
Anisimova, meanwhile, advances to face either top seed Jessica Pegula or Italy’s Camila Giorgi in the quarter-finals. The 22-year-old American, who took a mental health break from tennis last year, appears to be rediscovering her best form. "I’m just happy to be playing freely again and enjoying my tennis," she said after the match.
A Promising Future for British Tennis
Kartal’s breakthrough at Queen’s has provided a much-needed boost for British women’s tennis, which has lacked depth behind Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter. Her coach, Nigel Sears, praised her resilience: "Sonay has worked incredibly hard, and this is just the beginning for her. She’s proving she belongs at this level."
With Wimbledon just around the corner, Kartal’s performances have put her in contention for a wildcard into the main draw. Should she receive one, she would join Raducanu, Boulter, and Jodie Burrage as British women in the singles field.
Conclusion: A Learning Experience
While Kartal’s Queen’s campaign ended in disappointment, her week in London has been a testament to her growth as a player. Facing a seasoned opponent like Anisimova highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in handling power and maintaining consistency under pressure.
As she looks ahead to Eastbourne and potentially Wimbledon, Kartal remains optimistic: "This week has given me belief. I know what I need to work on, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward." For British tennis fans, her progress will be one to watch closely in the coming months.