Sonay Kartal ousts Jelena Ostapenko on Wimbledon Day 1 six days after losing to her in Eastbourne

Last Tuesday, Sonay Kartal went down to Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 7-6 (2), in the first round of the Lexus Eastbourne Open.

On the first day of Wimbledon six days later, Kartal turned the tables.

The Brit closed out the No. 20 seed with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory after opening play on No.3 Court, an assignment that gave Kartal an added boost.

“I really wanted to play on Court 3. It was the court I was hoping I was going to get. I had great memories from last year, as well,” she said.

Kartal finished at +14 in the winners to unforced errors department. Ostapenko was also in the green at 37 to 32, respectively, though managed to go just four for 15 on her break points. The home hopeful was far more efficient with a five for eight success rate.

“She can go through games, even sets, just playing tennis that's just unplayable. The pace she gets on the ball and the angle she gets off the ball is honestly unreadable at times,” Kartal said of Ostapenko, a former semifinalist. “I knew that was going to happen. I knew it happened last week. I knew I just had to stay with it.

“Yeah, I'm super proud of that win. Typically, I struggle against the big hitters.”

A year ago at The Championships, Kartal advanced to the third round after eliminating No. 29 seed Sorana Cirstea and Clara Burel in a pair of three-setters. The Brighton native has since gone on to lift her first WTA trophy in Monastir, Tunsia (September 2024) and cracked the Top 50 of the WTA rankings earlier this month.

“I feel like this is the best I've ever played on grass. It's the most confident I've also (been) in my game, as well,” the 23-year-old reflected. “I think I'm in a pretty good spot for round two.”

For a return to the third round, Kartal meets Viktoriya Tomova. The Bulgarian led Ons Jabeur, 7-6 (5), 6-2, when the two-time finalist retired.

“I wasn’t expecting not to feel good. I’ve been practicing pretty well the last few days but I guess these things happen. I’m really sad,” Jabeur said in a statement.

Kartal and Tomova are set to face off for the first time.