BEIJING — British tennis talent Sonay Kartal has made a bold declaration about her future trajectory following a spirited run at the China Open, a performance that has put compatriot Emma Raducanu firmly on notice. Despite a first-round exit in the main draw, Kartal's journey through qualifying and her competitive fight against a top-30 opponent have solidified her belief that she can ascend to the sport's highest echelon.
Kartal, who has battled through significant injury setbacks in recent years, qualified for the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, showcasing the form that has seen her rise steadily through the ranks. Her main-draw campaign ended with a 6-0, 7-6(1) loss to Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, but the scoreline belied a dramatic shift in momentum where Kartal pushed the former French Open finalist to her limits in a tightly contested second set.
A Statement of Intent from Qualifying
The 22-year-old's confidence stems not from a single match, but from her entire week in China. To reach the main draw, Kartal navigated a tough qualifying field, defeating higher-ranked opponents with a blend of powerful groundstrokes and resilient defense. This successful qualifying campaign is part of a broader pattern for Kartal, who has consistently demonstrated she can compete at the WTA level when healthy.
Reflecting on her performance and potential, Kartal left no doubt about her ambitions. "I believe I can be a top-10 player," she stated unequivocally in her post-match press conference. "I've always believed that. I think if you don't believe that, then there's no point in being in the sport."
This self-assured claim marks a significant moment in British women's tennis, creating a compelling narrative alongside the comeback of 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. While Raducanu's return from multiple surgeries has captured headlines, Kartal has been quietly assembling a compelling case as Britain's next major threat on the tour, largely from the Challenger circuit where she has claimed multiple titles this season.
The Pavlyuchenkova Test and Second-Set Resurgence
The match against Pavlyuchenkova served as a perfect microcosm of Kartal's current level and her room for growth. The first set was a harsh lesson in top-level tennis, with the experienced Russian dominating from the baseline and capitalizing on every short ball. However, instead of capitulating, Kartal regrouped, adjusted her tactics, and began to impose her game in the second set.
She began finding more depth on her returns, extended rallies, and even secured an early break of serve. Though she was ultimately unable to close out the set, forcing a tiebreak was a moral victory that proved her capabilities. "The second set showed what I'm capable of," Kartal noted.
The key areas Kartal identified for immediate improvement are common differentiators at the highest level. Her ability to analyze the match and pinpoint exactly what she needs to work on demonstrates a mature, professional mindset that bodes well for her development. The primary takeaways from her Beijing experience include:
- Sustaining Intensity: Maintaining a high level from the first point to the last.
- First-Serve Aggression: Gaining more free points and starting rallies on the front foot.
- Converting Break Points: Taking crucial opportunities when they present themselves.
Climbing the Rankings and Chasing Raducanu
Kartal's results over the past year have been quietly impressive. She started the 2023 season ranked outside the world's top 300 but has since sliced her ranking in half, now sitting comfortably inside the top 200 and knocking on the door of a direct entry into Grand Slam main draws. Her success on the ITF World Tennis Tour, where she has won three titles this year, has provided the foundation for her WTA breakthroughs.
This ascent places her directly in the conversation with Emma Raducanu, who is currently the British No. 1 but remains vulnerable as she works her way back to peak form. Kartal's robust physicality and consistent match play—contrasting with Raducanu's stop-start schedule due to injuries—suggest a fascinating battle for domestic supremacy is on the horizon. Kartal's game is built on a solid, aggressive baseline game, which could prove to be more durable on the tour in the long run.
The British Number One Spot in Sight
With Raducanu defending a significant number of points upon her full-time return, the door is open for a challenger like Kartal to make a move. The internal competition is clearly a motivator. "Everyone's journey is different," Kartal said, acknowledging the unique path of her compatriot. "I'm just focused on my own process and continuing to improve every week."
This healthy perspective underscores a player who is not distracted by external comparisons but is instead driven by a clear, internalized goal of reaching the top. Her coach, Alex Ward, has been instrumental in building this mindset, focusing on incremental progress and process-oriented goals rather than fixating on rankings.
The Road to the Top 10
The path from a top-200 ranking to the top 10 is notoriously difficult, filled with physical and mental challenges. However, Kartal's statement is not without foundation. Her powerful two-handed backhand is a major weapon, and her fitness levels—honed during her long rehabilitation from a serious knee injury—are now a key asset.
The next steps for Kartal are clear: consistently qualify for and win matches at WTA 250 and 500-level tournaments. Securing direct entry into Australian Open qualifying in January is an immediate target, with the ultimate aim of breaking into the top 100 by the middle of the 2024 season. Each victory against a top-100 player, like her push against Pavlyuchenkova, builds the evidence and belief that her top-10 ambition is achievable.
She concluded her thoughts in Beijing with a forward-looking statement that will resonate across British tennis. "This trip has given me a lot of confidence. I know what I need to work on, and I'm excited to get back to practice. The level is there; it's about doing it consistently now."
As Emma Raducanu navigates her high-profile comeback, the rise of Sonay Kartal provides a compelling subplot. With a firm belief in her own destiny and the game to back it up, Kartal is no longer flying under the radar. Her bold claim in Beijing is a warning shot, not just to the tour, but to her fellow Britons: a new contender has arrived, and she has the top 10 in her sights.