On Monday she proved to the All England Club crowds that she is no fluke by recording the finest victory of her grand slam career so far.
Her win was the first of seven for homegrown players, the most ever recorded in one day at Wimbledon in the Open era, overtaking five in 2001. It was also the first time since 1976 that 14 homegrown players competed on the opening day.
Record breaking day for the Brits at @Wimbledon @EmmaRaducanu @katiecboulter Sonay Kartal @cam_norrie Billy Harris Arthur Fery Oliver Tarvet #BackTheBrits | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XoP6ZT0zWk
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 30, 2025She recovered from 4-0 down in the opening set, stealing it at the death, and later stormed through a decider to make it 7-5 2-6 6-2.
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“I don’t think that I could have done too much better at times in that match. I feel like this is the best I’ve ever played on grass. It’s the most confident I’ve also got in my game. I think I’m in a pretty good spot for round two.”
When Ostapenko was enjoying her best moments, Kartal kept the pressure up with her stellar defence and effectively redirected her power. It was all the more impressive that she found a way through, considering she lost to Ostapenko on the grass in Eastbourne only last week.
“She has an amazing game for grass. I think that one is probably my biggest win, and I left the court with so much more confidence than I did in the ones last year.”
It is only through her steely rise over the past year that she has emerged at the top end of the tour. She used Wimbledon as a springboard, and thereafter won 10 matches in a row on the ITF second-tier tour.
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In the past month, she was rewarded with a top 50 breakthrough, joining Raducanu and Katie Boulter to make it three British women inside that marker for the first time since 1986.
“Sonay Kartal puts the work in like crazy, and deserves everything she gets,” Durie said. “I think that’s what makes tennis, women’s tennis especially. You can be any size and play in any way, and it can work as long as you put the work in for your own game.”
With the likes of Raducanu and Boulter still in the draw, there is less spotlight on her – which suits her just fine: “I would say my whole career I’ve kind of gone under the radar a bit. I’ve kind of just been left in my own little lane to get along.
“I’m used to it. Whether the spotlight was on me or wasn’t or me, I don’t think it makes a difference to me at all, to be honest with you.”
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