🔗 Share this article

Sonay Kartal's remarkable breakthrough performance at the WTA Beijing event was halted as she succumbed to Linda Noskova, who produced a superb match to secure a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 triumph and move to the semi-finals.

Important Tournament for The British Player

This result concludes of what had been the biggest competition of Sonay's tennis career, with the young British star showing through several impressive showings that she holds the game to challenge the top players.

Her journey included an impressive three-set triumph over Mirra Andreeva, which marked her initial win against a top-ten competitor and delivered her maiden WTA 1000 last-eight spot.

The Czech's Commanding Display

The contest presented an possibility for the British player to prolong her impressive campaign, but Noskova demonstrated why she is much-touted as a promising talent.

The 27th-ranked displayed her clean and powerful stroke-making capabilities from the outset, controlling points with strong shots from forehand and backhand, aggressively moving forward the net and establishing her strategy throughout the match.

Kartal's Resilient Response

Despite conceding the first set in fairly straightforward manner, Sonay had not played poorly at all, which only highlighted the difficulty she confronts when competing at the top level.

Kartal counterpunched effectively, making few errors and demonstrating her versatility with sliced backhand strokes and multiple impressive passing shots.

She also sought opportunities to be aggressive with her topspin forehand, but there is only so much against an confident opponent who could produce greater ball speed and force.

Closing Stages Battle

The British player maintained her strong level in the following set and capitalized when the Czech's level temporarily dropped, earning an break of serve in the closing set.

Yet, after conceding her first serve, her opponent regained a supreme rhythm, surrendering just few opportunities for the remainder of the set.

She landed on seventy-nine percent of her first serves and produced multiple aces, with her confidence behind the serve spreading to the remainder of her game as she controlled the British player in the closing games to earn the most important semi-final of her young career.

Tournament Situation

She will be the lone non-US participant in the China Open final four, preparing for the successful player of the last-eight between Jessica Pegula and Navarro.

In the remaining semi-final, Gauff and Anisimova will renew their rivalry from the junior tours.

Encouraging Outcomes for Sonay

Despite the defeat, Kartal will exit Beijing having achieved numerous advances in her career.

Subsequent to rising as high as 44th in the WTA rankings earlier this year, the expiration of points from her initial WTA title in Monastir had caused her drop to as low as No. 82 last month.

Thanks to this result, she will recover to No. 60 and overtake Jones and Katie Boulter to become the British No. 2.

Career Outlook

The effect this performance will have on her belief and how she is viewed by the other players is particularly important.

Given her modest 5ft 4in stature, Kartal will always be at a disadvantage against powerful ball strikers like Noskova, who can effectively overpower her on their strong performances.

However, she is also proving that her competitors must deserve their wins and compete at a high enough level to overcome her.

Between her excellent fitness, her sharp and heavy forehand, her variation of shots and her composure in difficult moments, Sonay has plenty tools in her toolbox to disrupt skilled opposition.

With a handful of weeks remaining in the season, her immediate goal is to maintain this excellent form until the finish.