BEIJING — In a stunning display of resilience and power, British qualifier Sonay Kartal produced the biggest win of her career, toppling world number five and recent US Open semifinalist Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 to storm into the quarter-finals of the prestigious China Open.
The 22-year-old from Brighton, ranked a modest 153rd in the world, battled for two hours and 49 minutes on the Diamond Court to overcome the 17-year-old Russian phenom, saving a set point in the opener and weathering a second-set fightback to secure a landmark victory. This marks Kartal's first-ever win over a top-10 opponent and propels her into the last eight of a WTA 1000 event for the first time.
An emotional Kartal, who fought through three rounds of qualifying just to reach the main draw, was visibly overcome after converting her second match point. "I'm just so happy," she said, her voice cracking with emotion during her on-court interview.
A Grueling Battle of Attrition
From the first ball, the match was a physical and mental grind. Kartal, known for her flat, aggressive groundstrokes, refused to be intimidated by her higher-ranked opponent. The first set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve comfortably until the 11th game. With Andreeva serving at 5-6, Kartal elevated her game, unleashing a series of punishing forehands to earn a set point.
Andreeva, showing the composure that has become her trademark, saved it with a bold drop shot, but Kartal immediately earned another. This time, the Briton sealed the set when Andreeva sent a backhand long, letting out a roar of celebration that echoed around the court. The statistics underscored Kartal's aggressive intent; she hit 15 winners to Andreeva's 9 in the opening set.
The second set was a rollercoaster. Kartal secured an early break and seemed to be cruising to a straight-sets victory, but Andreeva demonstrated why she is considered one of the brightest young talents in the game. The Russian broke back and then saved a critical break point at 4-4 with a stunning cross-court passing shot, forcing a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Andreeva's variety and tactical intelligence came to the fore. She mixed up the pace effectively and capitalized on a few unforced errors from Kartal to clinch the set 7-5 and level the match, seemingly seizing all the momentum.
The Decisive Final Set Surge
Rather than folding after losing the second set, Kartal regrouped magnificently. She broke Andreeva's serve in the first game of the decider, a psychological blow from which the young Russian never fully recovered. Kartal's fitness, honed through her qualifying matches, became a major factor as she continued to dictate rallies from the baseline, relentlessly targeting Andreeva's forehand wing.
A second break in the fifth game gave Kartal a commanding 4-1 lead, and she never looked back, serving out the match to love in the final game. Reflecting on her mental fortitude, Kartal later shared, "I just tried to reset after the second set. I knew I was playing well and I had to trust my game. I'm probably one of the fittest on tour, so I knew I could outlast her."
The numbers from the final set were telling. Kartal won 86% of her first-serve points and committed only four unforced errors, a testament to her controlled aggression under pressure. Andreeva, by contrast, seemed to fade physically, her error count climbing as the match wore on.
A Career-Defining Victory
This victory is the culmination of a long and often challenging journey for Kartal, who has battled significant injuries throughout her career. Before this week, her most notable result was reaching the third round of Wimbledon earlier this summer. This win in Beijing, however, is on another level entirely, both in terms of the prestige of the event and the caliber of opponent.
The win provides a massive boost to her ranking and her confidence. The key factors in her stunning upset included:
- Relentless Power: Kartal consistently hit through the ball, denying Andreeva time.
- Superior Fitness: Her physical conditioning was decisive in the third set.
- Mental Resilience: She rebounded strongly after losing a tight second set.
Andreeva, who enjoyed a breakthrough run to the semifinals in New York, was gracious in defeat. "She played incredibly well today. She was more aggressive and deserved the win. It's a tough loss for me, but I will learn from it," the fifth-ranked player told reporters.
What Comes Next for Kartal
With this victory, Kartal is projected to break into the world's top 120 for the first time, edging ever closer to a coveted spot in the main draw of major tournaments. Her quarter-final opponent will be another formidable challenge: either world number two Aryna Sabalenka or reigning Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur.
Regardless of the outcome in the next round, Kartal has announced herself on the global stage. Her coach, Alex Ward, praised her application, stating, "Sonay has put in the hard yards for years. She never stopped believing, and today she showed the world what she is capable of."
For British tennis, this result is a significant boost. With Emma Raducanu still on the comeback trail, Kartal’s emergence provides a new and exciting narrative. Her performance in Beijing proves that her Wimbledon run was no fluke and that she possesses the game and the mentality to compete with the very best in the world.
As the tennis world turns its attention to the final WTA 1000 events of the season, Sonay Kartal’s name is now firmly on the map. Her stunning upset of Mirra Andreeva is more than just a single win; it is a statement of intent from a player who has overcome adversity and is now ready to claim her place among the sport's elite.