Britain's Kartal misses out on biggest title of her career
BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandQuizzesNews FeedsHelp & FAQsTennisScores & ScheduleQuizzesCalendarBritain's Kartal misses out on biggest title of her careerImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sonay Kartal will become the British number one when the WTA rankings are released on Monday BBC Sport tennis news reporterPublished39 minutes agoBritain's Sonay Kartal missed out on what would have been the biggest title of her career as she faded in a gripping Wuhan Open final against French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska. Kartal, 24, was bidding to lift the trophy in only her third event since returning from a six-month absence caused by a back injury. But an extraordinary week seemed to catch up with Kartal as she ran out of steam - physically and mentally - in a 2-6 6-4 6-2 defeat. Kartal was playing in just the 10th match of her impressive comeback and was attempting to become the first Briton to win a WTA 1,000 title since Johanna Konta in 2017. Ranked 170th in the world at the start of the event, Kartal reached Sunday's final by seeing off a host of notable opponents, including current top-10 players and former major champions. However, Poland's Chwalinska, who made a shock run to this year's Roland Garros final, dragged Kartal into a brutal battle and ultimately got the better of it. Kartal dominated the first set and led by a break in the second before Chwalinska turned momentum in her favour. Chwalinska, 25, felt a few nerves as she closed in on her first WTA 1,000 title, but took her third championship point when Kartal hammered a forehand long. Despite losing the final, Kartal has enjoyed a transformational week which even she did not see coming. On Monday, Kartal will climb to 50th in the world rankings - just below her career high - and become the British number one for the first time. ShortsPreviousNext0:39Devastating Dubois stops Wardley inside two rounds. 00:00:39, play videoDevastating Dubois stops Wardley inside two rounds0:30Vintage Messi as he scores two brilliant goals. 00:00:30, play videoVintage Messi as he scores two brilliant goals0:42De Zerbi provides Kulusevski update. 00:00:42, play videoDe Zerbi provides Kulusevski update0:26'Absolutely absurd' - Orlando's Ojeda scores with scorpion kick 00:00:26, play video'Absolutely absurd' - Orlando's Ojeda scores with scorpion kick 0:32Man City's players and fans 'fueled' by boos and bananas. 00:00:32, play videoMan City's players and fans 'fueled' by boos and bananas0:43'Take Usyk out and Dubois is best in world' 00:00:43, play video'Take Usyk out and Dubois is best in world'0:16Phil Foden goes bananas! 00:00:16, play videoPhil Foden goes bananas!0:30Buckley blanks White at UFC weigh-in. 00:00:30, play videoBuckley blanks White at UFC weigh-in0:53Dundee leveller 'like a balloon popping' for Rangers. 00:00:53, play videoDundee leveller 'like a balloon popping' for RangersTop storiesLive. Premier League: Leeds level with Man Utd, Brighton and Bournemouth in front Live. Scottish Premiership: Nygren puts Celtic two up inside 10 minutes against Hearts Live. Champions Cup: Dupont's Toulouse host Exeter after Pau beat Leicester - radio & text Black footballing pioneer Clyde Best speaks to Sporting Witness Ranking the Premier League's all-time greatest super subs 'Devastating & dramatic' - Dubois stops Wardley to retain title. Video'Devastating & dramatic' - Dubois stops Wardley to retain title The rapid rise of a former art dealer to Europe's hottest young manager From tear gas to just tears - rugby league's most passionate fans? A 'landmark' moment - why has Rwanda been chosen to host F1? An insurance policy with no guarantee - the complex issue of egg freezing in sport Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Source: BBC Sport
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