Kartal beats Svitolina to reach Wuhan Open semi-finals in comeback
Sonay Kartal defeated world No.6 Elina Svitolina to reach the Wuhan Open semi-finals in only her third tournament back from injury.
The 24-year-old British player seized her first match point to complete the win on Friday. Kartal made her breakthrough at Wimbledon last year and is reaching a WTA 1000 semi-final for the first time.
Kartal has won three matches at major tournaments in her comeback, including over ninth seed Belinda Bencic and former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini. Kartal said she did not expect to find this form so quickly after six months off.
She now faces Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals.
- World No.6 Elina Svitolina
- Opponent ranking
- 24 years old
- Age
- Third
- Tournaments back since injury
- Fourth round at Wimbledon last year
- Breakthrough
Why it mattersA player returning from serious injury and quickly competing at the highest level signals both her talent and the strength of her recovery.
AustraliaAustralian tennis fans and Australians on the WTA circuit track Kartal's rise as a breakthrough British player in women's tennis.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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