Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal has won the Jasmin Open in Tunisia to claim her first title on the WTA Tour following a captivating battle with Rebecca Sramkova.
Kartal, a former junior rival of Emma Raducanu, emerged from qualifying in Monastir and has played superbly throughout the week, culminating in a maiden title as she defeated Sramkova in straight sets in the final on Sunday.
The 22-year-old from Brighton, who lost to American superstar Coco Gauff in the third round at Wimbledon earlier this year, now joins Katie Boulter as a British WTA Tour winner this season, by taking victory 6-3 7-5 following what became a hard-fought battle.
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Kartal hailed her team for their support after claiming her first WTA Tour title
The win over the Slovakian, who was also playing in her first WTA Tour final, means Kartal will achieve a new career-high ranking and break into the top 100 of the women’s singles rankings for the first time.
Kartal was positive throughout the first set and broke her opponent three times, as well as smashing in three aces, as the Brit perhaps felt the benefits of an early finish to her semi-final – when Germany’s Eva Lys retired through illness after less than half an hour – to wrap up the opener in 47 minutes by playing assertive tennis and attacking her opponent’s serve.
A strong finish to the first set and a strong start to the second saw Kartal race into a 4-1 lead before Sramkova broke back and made life difficult for the British No 4-ranked women’s player.
Kartal lost to Coco Gauff in the third round at Wimbledon this summer
An attritional eighth game, lasting over 10 minutes, in the second set challenged the mettle of both players, as Kartal saved various break points and spurned chances to win the game of her own before Sramkova converted her fourth opportunity to break and level the set at 4-4.
Another couple of breaks followed before, with both players struggling to hold serve, Kartal took advantage of sluggish serving from a tiring Sramkova to break for a fourth time in the set give herself a second chance to serve for the match.
Importantly, she won her opening point on serve, and produced a magnificent winner to set up championship point. Kartal only needed one of those, and secured victory after a marathon second set lasting one hour and 10 minutes.
Kartal: I was really wanting that revenge
Kartal revealed following the match that she was very much motivated by overcoming the defeat she suffered to Sramkova when the pair faced each other for the first time in Bath last year.
The Slovakian won that game, another battle which involved two tie-breaks, after coming back from a set down.
The Jasmin Open champion was determined that the same was not going to happen again on Sunday.
Sonny Kartal is now targeting remaining in the top 100 to end the calendar year
“Firstly, Rebecca, great match today,” said Kartal. “I remember you beat me just over a year ago so I was really wanting that revenge today and to your team and to your coach, you’ve had an incredible week and I wish you guys the best for the rest of the year.”
For Sramkova, she pointed out that fatigue probably affected her during the match.
“I tried my best but I was too tired today,” admitted Sramkova, who was gracious in defeat.
Kartal now wants to cement a place in the top 100 to end the year to put herself in the ideal position to attack 2025 with gusto – and she’s still basking in the glory of her first career WTA title.
“Right now it’s unbelievable,” said Kartal. “I tried so much to put the occasion and the score behind me and try to treat it just like any other match.
“It’s been such a good week, I’ve played some of my best tennis and it feels like in every match I’ve got better.
“I started the year with the goal of being in the top 150 and now I’m passed that. I’m trying to end the year in the top 100 and put myself in the best position for Australia.”
What else is coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in September?
- Korea Open – WTA 500 (16 to 22 September – with Emma Raducanu in action)
- Thailand Open – WTA 250 (16 to 22 September)
- Chengdu Open – ATP 250 (17 to 24 September)
- Hangzhou Open – ATP 250 (18 to 24 September)
- Japan Open – ATP 500 (25 September to 1 October)
- China Open – ATP 500 (26 September to 2 October)
- China Open – WTA 1000 (25 September to 6 October)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.