Brit Sonay Kartal upsets Jelena Ostapenko in Wimbledon first round
Six days after Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Sonay Kartal at Eastbourne, the British No. 3 got revenge in the best possible way. Kartal recorded a shock Wimbledon victory over her seeded opponent at the All England Club, beating Ostapenko 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.
The 23-year-old established herself on the grass courts of SW19 last year, when she got to the third round while ranked No. 298 in the world. That year she went out to Coco Gauff. The early signs this year show that Kartal is once again well up for putting on a show in front of her home crowd, and a run in the tournament could see her break into the world's top 50.
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In the unforgiving heat, Kartal restricted Ostapenko's trademark, flat-hitting power to impose her own tricky game on the Latvian, holding firm in some nervy moments to earn one of her most impressive career victories to date.
'That was one of the toughest matches I have played. I struggle against the big hitters, she beat me easily last week,' Kartal said courtside. 'Thank you to everyone for coming out.
'After the year I had last year, I am happy to put myself under pressure to succeed. Last year I left this tournament feeling a different player. I want to see how far I can go this week.'
Kartal immediately fell a break behind in the opening set, going 5-2 and then 5-4 down. With Ostapenko holding three set points for the opener, the Brit clawed her way back into contention. With the momentum on her side, Kartal charged ahead, claiming another break and holding to 15 for the set.
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Ostapenko responded well, romping to parity by taking the second set within 33 minutes. Two straightforward breaks were enough to level the match, seemingly putting herself in pole position to come from a set down. But Ostapenko, who twisted her ankle ahead of Wimbledon and was a doubt until late into last week, could not regain her footing.
Kartal instead dominated the third set, securing three consecutive breaks to put herself in a near insurmountable position. Serving for a bagel set, she appeared to let the pressure show as she was broken to 15 in a nervy-looking few moments. But despite Ostapenko's subsequent hold, the No. 20 seed could not prevent the Brit from sealing the match on serve.
The jubilant crowd on the No. 2 Court jumped to their feet following the first British success story of the tournament. Kartal's victory over Daria Kasatkina at Queen's earlier this month represented just her second win over top-20 opposition, and while Ostapenko is ranked just one place outside that category, it represents a big scalp for the Brit.
Viktoriya Tomova now stands in the way of Kartal's matching last year's breakthrough Wimbledon run.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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New York Times
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Watch: BBC (UK), ESPN (U.S.); Get involved: live@ GO FURTHER Taylor Fritz frustrated as Wimbledon comeback is interrupted by curfew Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a first-round match at a Grand Slam. He came as close as he has probably ever come today. Chapeau, Monsieur Fognini (yes, I know he's Italian). Getty Images Lots still due tonight, and that's on top of the matches which are currently on court! In the men's singles, third seed Alexander Zverev faces Arthur Rinderknech, while American Taylor Fritz (5) plays another Frenchman in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. In the women's: Ashlyn Krueger (31) vs. 16-year-old Brit Mika Stojsavljevic vs. 16-year-old Brit Mika Stojsavljevic Elise Mertens (24) vs. Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Linda Fruhvirtova Zheng Qinwen (5) vs. Kateřina Siniaková Andrey Rublev (14) leads Serb Laslo Djere two sets to one, 1-1 in the fourth, with two Americans on court as well. On Court 14, Jenson Brooksby is a break up on Tallon Griekspoor (31). 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The second set is on serve but Paolini has a lot of work to do against her veteran Latvian opponent, who has never been beyond the third round at Wimbledon but did reach the semi-final stage at Flushing Meadows back in 2018. Getty Images Emma Raducanu 6-3, 2-1* Mimi Xu On No.1 Court there's a battle of the British home hopefuls. Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu took the first set against 17-year-old Mimi Xu and was an early break of serve up in the second — only for the teenager to immediately hit back. Raducanu, 22, is attempting to reach the second round of The Championships for the fourth time in her career. Carlos Alcaraz, speaking on Centre Court after his win, hailed his opponent's performance. 💬 He said: 'First of all, to be honest, I don't know why it's his last Wimbledon. His level is so high, he can play four more years! It was such a great match. 'He's a great player, his whole career, once again you guys saw it today. A little bit sad it's his last Wimbledon, but happy to share the court with him and we are going to enjoy it. 'Playing the first match at Centre Court is never easy, I've been practicing pretty well but Wimbledon is different. I just tried to play my best, but I can be better. I have to improve in the next round.' When discussing his next opponent, Brit Oliver Tarvet, 21, he added: 'It's not going to be personal! I saw his name when he qualified for the first time, he's playing in college right now. 'He plays great tennis on grass so I will have to be focused on that and put my best tennis into the match. Obviously let's keep enjoying being at Wimbledon.' Getty Images Fognini throws his trainers into the crowd to cheers. He gave the two-time defending champion and one of the tournament favorites a hell of a match. Really impressive from the unseeded veteran. Getty Images Very sporting from Carlos Alcaraz. He gives Fognini a long hug at the net to salute the Italian, who at 38 years old is playing in his final Wimbledon match. What a match to go out, eh? Alcaraz just stands and applauds as Centre Court rises to its collective feet to give Fognini a deserved ovation. Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 Fabio Fognini Fabio Fognini nets and Carlos Alcaraz is through! They sportingly embrace at the net. Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 5-1* Fabio Fognini Booming serve, 15-0. A filthy drop shot, Fognini doesn't even run for it. Not sure he could have made the fourth bounce, such was the spin and trajectory of that knifing slice. 30-0. Fognini then sends a ripping forehand return down the line, gorgeous stroke, and he does a slight bow for the Centre Court crowd, smiling slightly. Fognini rushes to the net, forcing Alcaraz into the cross-court forehand, netted for 30-all. Fognini return long and that's match point Alcaraz... Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, *5-1 Fabio Fognini Alcaraz nets, 15-0, lovely deft backhand volley from Fognini, Alcaraz gets there but his Hail Mary down the line past the net post misses. Fognini rubs his eyes repeatedly, perhaps a bit of sweat in them, maybe just contemplating how quickly this set, and this match, has got away from him. He swats a forehand wide, then it's 30-30. A clean winner for 40-30 and another for the hold. Fognini looks shattered though. The end is nigh, I reckon. Getty Images ...as he walks to his mark. Can he pull off an incredible comeback in the decider? Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 5-0* Fabio Fognini Big ace for 15-0, another for 30-0. Ruthless. And another! 40-0! Alcaraz finally finds his serve. That is a joke, massive serve Fognini does well to even get a racket on, but it's net. Hold to love and suddenly Alcaraz is a game from the second round. 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Getty Images A spectator has been taken ill on Centre Court so play is temporarily suspended. Alcaraz was one of the first to notice and rushed over with water. Concerning scenes.
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These two were peeking through the fence and bushes outside the All England Club earlier today. Clearly on the lookout for action. Here at The Athletic is your best place for second-screen (or even main-screen) ways to follow proceedings without having to squint through shrubbery. And a reminder: you can email us at: live@ with any questions, comments, observations, or otherwise! Look forward to hearing from you. Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a first-round match at a Grand Slam. He came as close as he has probably ever come today. Chapeau, Monsieur Fognini (yes, I know he's Italian). Getty Images Lots still due tonight, and that's on top of the matches which are currently on court! In the men's singles, third seed Alexander Zverev faces Arthur Rinderknech, while American Taylor Fritz (5) plays another Frenchman in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. 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