In a match that stretched the limits of endurance on the hard courts of the China Open, Britain's Sonay Kartal pulled off one of the most surprising upsets of the tournament Tuesday. The 23-year-old qualifier, ranked outside the top 100 just months ago, defeated world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva in three grueling sets: 7-5, 2-6, 7-5. It was Kartal's biggest career victory, a statement that echoed through the Beijing stadium as she clinched her spot in the quarter-finals for the first time at a WTA 1000 event.
Kartal, who had to battle through qualifying rounds to even enter the main draw, showed remarkable resilience against the young Russian phenom. Andreeva, fresh off her Indian Wells triumph earlier this year and riding a wave of confidence, dominated the second set with powerful baseline play. However, Kartal adjusted, forcing errors and stepping up her aggression in the decider. Indeed, she broke Andreeva's serve at crucial moments, saving multiple break points herself in a tense final game. The crowd, though sparse under the evening lights, sensed the shift as Kartal's forehand winners piled up.
This win catapults Kartal above compatriot Katie Boulter in the live rankings, making her Great Britain's No. 2 player. For Andreeva, it's a rare stumble in what has been a breakout season; the 17-year-old had not dropped a set until facing Kartal's unyielding defense. Moreover, Kartal revealed post-match that she had no choice but to change her game plan, going more offensive to counter Andreeva's speed. Such adaptability, it seems, paid off handsomely.
Now, Kartal faces 26th seed Linda Noskova in the last eight, a test that could define her rising trajectory. Yet, as these underdog stories unfold in elite tennis, one wonders how deep the talent pool truly runs in the women's game these days.