Kartal’s comeback gathers pace with landmark run to Wuhan semifinals

After six months on the sidelines with a back injury that saw her ranking tumble from No. 54 to No. 170, Britain’s Sonay Kartal might have hoped to find some rhythm during her comeback, which began last month, as she built toward the 2027 season.

Instead, the 24-year-old finds herself in the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time after knocking out world No. 6 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the Dongfeng • Voyah Wuhan Open on Saturday.

After the players split the first two sets, each winning 6-2, the third set went down to the wire. Both held serve through the first nine games, with neither facing a break point until the 10th. Kartal then earned her first break point of the set - which was also a match point - and converted it to seal a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory in 2 hours, 3 minutes.

"I'm very proud to get through that one," she said in her post-match press conference. "It was far from easy. I played at the very start of the year in Auckland. I know her pretty well, so I know that until the last point was played, I was never safe. I'm proud of the level that I managed to produce. And I'm very happy that I've been so consistent this week."

It was Kartal’s second career win over a top-10 opponent and sent her into just her second career tour-level semifinal. At No. 170, she also became the third-lowest-ranked semifinalist at a WTA 1000 event since the format was introduced in 2009, behind only Sloane Stephens, who reached the semifinals in Toronto in 2017 while ranked No. 934, and Victoria Azarenka, who did so in Miami in 2018 at No. 186.

"I think I'm just growing in confidence with every match that I'm playing"

Since returning to competition last month, Kartal has represented Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup and reached the third round in Beijing, where she defeated world No. 31 Wang Xinyu. She has continued that momentum in Wuhan, recording wins over world No. 48 Anhelina Kalinina, No. 9 seed Belinda Bencic and No. 15 seed Jasmine Paolini before overcoming Svitolina.

"I definitely did not think that I would find this level this fast," she said. "I think it's a bit of a surprise to me. I've had my best wins in my third tournament back. I was trying to get these wins at the start of the years so the fact that I've managed to do that so fast…I did lose six months on the tour, but I don't feel like that when I'm playing on the court. So, for me, that's a big positive. I'm just going to try and continue the form. I think I'm back where I wanted to be. I didn't expect it to be so soon. So I think now that I'm back, I'm just going to try and maintain this level and try and find my ceiling and see where I can get to in the next year or so."

Kartal said her performance in the Billie Jean King Cup had given her encouragement, even though it did not produce a victory.

“I think my first event back was the Billie Jean King Cup and I think the level I produced there was much higher than I thought," she told the media in Wuhan this week. "I didn't get the win, but I left that court super happy, and I think I went into Beijing and into this week feeling, knowing that I was going to enjoy the environment and the atmosphere. I think I'm just growing in confidence with every match that I'm playing. In terms of just coming back from an injury in a long period of time, usually results not always come this quickly.”

I think the biggest advice I receievd was don't rush it

Six months can be a long time away from competition in professional tennis, particularly for a player who had broken into the top 100 only two years earlier. Kartal revealed that she had been ready to return in late August but chose to listen to the advice of those around her rather than rush her recovery.

“I was ready to get back kind of end of August time but I knew I was going to come back to these events," she added. "I had to try and replicate the environment of a match as best as you can in training. I don't think you can replicate it, but I didn't rush myself.

“I've got a lot of tennis years left in me, so I took advice from a lot of other players who have had lengthy injuries. I just had a great physio down here and I just trusted in her and trusted in the team that when I would get back. I didn't know that I would get back to the level that I know I can do.”

The decision to be patient was not an easy one. Kartal acknowledged the the disappointment of missing some of the sport's biggest events, including her home Slam at Wimbledon, but said she had learned to trust her support team.

“I think the biggest advice I received was don't rush it," she said. "When you're playing an individual sport, you want to get back as quickly as you can for many reasons, financially and, I love playing in these atmospheres... but I had to trust the people around me. I know I have the best in the game and at the end of the day, they know what they're doing. I might be stubborn and want to try and push them, but ultimately I've got to sit back and listen. It's rare as a tennis player you get six months away, so I tried to make the most of it.”

The victory over Svitolina was Kartal's first against the Ukrainian in three meetings. It also extended her unbeaten record to 12-0 in 2026 in WTA-level main draws when she wins the first set. 

Ostapenko awaits in the semifinals

Kartal will next face former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in Saturday's semifinals, with the pair tied 1-1 in their career meetings. Kartal won their encounter at Wimbledon in 2025, while Ostapenko prevailed at Eastbourne the same year.

"I played her on grass both times, and I think it suits her for sure," Kartal said looking ahead to the semifinal. "She hits a great big ball on a grass court so I'm hoping this court can slow down a little bit for me, but again, I know I'm in for a good battle. She's been playing great this week. She won a couple of three setters. So, once again, it's going to be another tough battle. But after the last few days, I think I'm happy to face anyone so I'm excited for another challenge."

Ostapenko booked her place in the last four with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over No. 11 seed Diana Shnaider in the first quarterfinal of the day.

"It was a great match,” Ostapenko said after her win. “I was down in the first set, but then I was fighting and found a way in the first set and then I think I played a really good second set. I'm so happy to be through to the semi-finals, especially here in China with these amazing fans.”

Ostapenko is through to the Wuhan semifinals for the second time in her career, nine years after losing to Ash Barty at the same stage in 2017. She will be aiming to reach her fourth WTA 1000 final and win her first title at that level.

“I think I have great memories from Wuhan achieving semi-finals here and I remember I beat world No. 1 on the center court so I have great memories and also with the Chinese fans always like it's great to be here and to have a lot of support.”