Zeynep Sonmez, "playing together" with unreal AO atmosphere, equals her historic major run

At last year’s Australian Open, Zeynep Sonmez earned direct entry into the main draw of a major for the first time on the back of a maiden WTA title captured in October 2024.

When Wimbledon played out, she emerged as the first player from Turkey to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event in the Open Era. On Wednesday, Sonmez matched that breakout performance Down Under.

Relegated to securing her place in the Australian Open qualifying rounds this time around, Sonmez followed up her upset win over No. 11 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova by dispatching Anna Bondar with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

Watch: Sonmez aids ill ball girl during first-round win in Melbourne

I know that it's a new thing in Turkey, but I don't want to stop here. I want to keep going. I want to do better things.

The atmosphere surrounding the 23-year-old on Court 7 at Melbourne Park was unlike any setting she had been a part of.

“I felt like I was at home. I was feeling the energy. It was really unreal. I really, really appreciate it,” she told press. “I felt very good on the court. I really felt the support, and I felt like we were all playing together, actually.

“At first I couldn't even hear my own thoughts. It was very, very loud. Then I said, ‘Zeynep, just focus, just you and the ball, play your game and just focus on the court.’

“I have never experienced something like this.”

Having dropped outside of the Top 100 on the year-end WTA rankings, Sonmez will undoubtedly return following the season’s first major—with a win in the next round likely to vault her past a career-high mark of No. 69.

It would, of course, also bring Sonmez into uncharted territory: the second week of a major. Crediting the compatriots that came before her, including Marsel Ilhan and Cagla Buyukakcay, for paving the way and offering their mentorship, Sonmez isn’t lacking support with breaking further ground for her nation.

“They're always trying to help me with their experiences. I want to do better,” she says.

“I know that it's a new thing in Turkey, but I don't want to stop here. I want to keep going. I want to do better things.”

For a coveted spot in the round of 16, Sonmez takes on Yulia Putintseva. The Kazakh cruised past Elsa Jacquemot, 6-1, 6-2.