LONDON — British tennis sensation Sonay Kartal has once again proven that the "show must go on", delivering a stunning performance to defeat France's Diane Parry and advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career. The 22-year-old Brighton native, ranked No. 298 in the world, has become one of the breakout stars of this year's Championships, capturing the hearts of fans with her fearless play and relentless determination.
A Breakthrough Performance
Kartal's 6-3, 6-2 victory over world No. 53 Parry was a masterclass in composure and precision. The British wildcard, who had never won a main-draw match at Wimbledon before this year, dominated from the baseline, firing 28 winners and converting five of her seven break points. "I just kept believing in myself," Kartal said in her post-match interview. "I knew if I stuck to my game plan, I could make something special happen."
Her remarkable run at SW19 has been built on several key strengths:
- Relentless aggression: Kartal has consistently taken the ball early, dictating play with her powerful groundstrokes.
- Mental resilience: She has saved 12 of 15 break points faced in the tournament.
- Improved serve: Her first serve percentage has increased from 58% in qualifying to 68% in the main draw.
From Qualifiers to Contender
Kartal's journey to the fourth round is all the more impressive considering she had to battle through three rounds of qualifying just to reach the main draw. The former junior standout, who reached the girls' singles semifinals at Wimbledon in 2018, has overcome multiple injury setbacks in recent years, including a stress fracture in her foot that sidelined her for much of 2022.
"Two years ago I was in a boot, not knowing if I'd ever play at this level again," Kartal revealed. "To be here now, playing on these courts with this crowd behind me, it's beyond anything I dreamed of."
By the Numbers: Kartal's Wimbledon Run
The statistics from Kartal's campaign tell their own story of rapid improvement:
- 3 - Qualifying matches won without dropping a set
- 6 - Consecutive victories at this year's Championships
- 87% - Win percentage on first serve points in main draw
- 42 - Places climbed in live rankings after third round
A New British Hope
With Emma Raducanu's early exit and no other British women reaching the third round, Kartal has emerged as the nation's new tennis darling. Her success comes at a pivotal time for British tennis, with the LTA having invested heavily in player development programs. Kartal, who trains at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, is a product of this system.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft praised Kartal's breakthrough: "What Sonay is achieving is phenomenal. She's showing that with the right attitude and work ethic, rankings can be just a number. This could be the start of something very special for British tennis."
The Road Ahead
Kartal now faces her toughest test yet against second seed Coco Gauff, but the young Brit remains undaunted. "I've got nothing to lose," she said with characteristic optimism. "I'll go out there, play my game, and see what happens."
Her coach, former ATP professional Morgan Phillips, believes this is just the beginning: "Sonay has always had the talent. Now she's proving she has the mentality too. Whatever happens next, she's shown she belongs at this level."
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond her on-court achievements, Kartal's story is resonating with young players across the UK. The daughter of Turkish immigrants, she has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing cultural expectations with sporting ambitions. Local tennis clubs in Brighton have reported a surge in interest following her Wimbledon run.
As Kartal prepares for her fourth-round match, one thing is certain: whether she wins or loses, her "show must go on" attitude has already made this Wimbledon one to remember. In her own words: "This isn't the end of my journey - it's just the start of a new chapter."
With her combination of raw talent, newfound confidence, and the full support of the British public, Sonay Kartal's rise in tennis appears to be just beginning. As the Wimbledon fortnight continues, all eyes will be on this remarkable young player who has defied expectations and rewritten her own story.