WTA Wuhan Open
Sonay Kartal is into the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open, the first WTA 1000 semi-final of her career. The British player beat the No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in the quarter-finals on Friday, in only her third tournament back from six months out with a back injury.
How She Got There
Kartal is ranked No. 170 in the world and entered Wuhan on a protected ranking. She has not dropped a set to anyone but Svitolina all week:
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Anhelina Kalinina | 7-5, 6-3 |
| Second round | Belinda Bencic (9) | 6-0, 7-5 |
| Round of 16 | Jasmine Paolini (15) | 6-2, 6-0 |
| Quarter-finals | Elina Svitolina (5) | 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 |
Against Svitolina, the world No. 6, she broke early to take the first set in 33 minutes. Svitolina levelled, and in the decider Kartal broke at 5-4 to finish the match in an hour and 59 minutes. It is the second top-10 win of her career, after she beat Mirra Andreeva at the China Open in 2025. “I’m breaking new ground this week, I’ve never reached the semis of a 1000,” she said afterwards.
A British First Since Konta
Kartal is only the second British woman to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final since the format was introduced in 2009, after Johanna Konta. Her previous best results were the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2025 and the fourth round at Indian Wells in March, where she retired injured against Elena Rybakina. Her one WTA title came in Monastir in 2024, and her career-high ranking is No. 44.
The run will lift her well back up the rankings. The BBC reported that it is set to return her to the top 100, and our WTA rankings page will reflect the new list when it is published on Monday.
Ostapenko Next
Kartal plays Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals on Saturday. Ostapenko knocked out the No. 2 seed Jessica Pegula 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 in the second round and beat the No. 11 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6(6), 6-1 in the quarter-finals, after trailing 5-2 in the first set. Their head-to-head is 1-1, and both matches were on grass. Kartal beat Ostapenko, then the 18th seed, in the first round of Wimbledon in 2025.
The other semi-final will be decided on Friday, with Iga Świątek against Ann Li, who knocked out the top seed Aryna Sabalenka, and Maja Chwalińska against Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals. The final is on Sunday 18 October, not before 6.30pm local time, which is 11.30am in the UK.
How to Watch
The Wuhan Open is live on Sky Sports Tennis and NOW in the UK. Our Wuhan Open viewing guide has the details.
FAQ
Sonay Kartal FAQs
Who does Sonay Kartal play in the Wuhan semi-final?
Jelena Ostapenko, on Saturday 17 October. Their head-to-head is 1-1, with both matches on grass.
Is this Kartal’s best result?
Yes. It is her first WTA 1000 semi-final. Her previous best results at that level and at the Grand Slams were fourth-round runs, at Wimbledon in 2025 and Indian Wells in 2026.
What is Sonay Kartal’s ranking?
She is ranked No. 170 after six months out with a back injury, and entered Wuhan on a protected ranking. Her career high is No. 44.
How many British women have reached a WTA 1000 semi-final?
Two since the format began in 2009: Johanna Konta and now Sonay Kartal.
How can I watch the Wuhan Open in the UK?
Live on Sky Sports Tennis and NOW.
More Coverage
See Sonay Kartal’s profile and her next match page. Full coverage sits on our Wuhan Open hub, with the preview and betting tips, and the dates are in the 2026 tennis calendar.