Britain's last hope in Wimbledon women's draw Sonay Kartal OUT after huge controversy as rival accuses umpire of bias
Kartal, the last British player in the women's singles and making her Centre
Court
bow under a roof closed for daylight play for the first time this Championships gave her all in a topsy-turvy roller-coaster of a match against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Advertisement
3
Sonay Kartal is out of Wimbledon following defeat on Centre Court
Credit: Reuters
3
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova argues with the chair umpire
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Despite earning a set point in the opener, the 23-year-old Kartal was eventually out-hit as she lost 7-6 6-3 in a two hours and two minutes.
But the
BIG
talking point was the latest malfunction of the new automatic line-judging system in operation in SW19 for the first time this year.
Just two days after
England
Club's showpiece venue, the last British woman left standing was involved in
Kartal's forehand at game point to Pavluchenkova in the ninth game of the opener was clearly out but there was no call from the electronic officials.
Advertisement
READ MORE WIMBLEDON
With both players perplexed, German umpire Nico Helwerth halted play for three minutes as TV replays showed the non-call was totally wrong.
Eventually, Helwerth announced: 'The electronic system was unable to track the last point', ordering a replay, which saw Pavlyluchenkova volley wildly and eventually lose serve again.
It was a bizarre moment in a strange match, which saw neither player able to dominate on their serve.
Getting her third break - in those circumstances - could have been the springboard to a victory which would have seen her tournament earnings reach £400,000 - compared to her previous
CAREER
prize
money
of £333,000.
Advertisement
Most read in Tennis
Live Blog
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
But despite a set point, Kartal was unable to serve out before being swept aside in the tie break.
And while the Brighton star bounced back from losing her opening service game in the second set she was crucially broken once more at 2-2, a missed forehand starting to put the writing on the wall.
'You took the game away from me' - Major Wimbledon controversy as new technology FAILS and Kartal rival fumes at umpire
Kartal refused to give up, asking the ultimate question of her opponent as she made the Russian serve out for the victory.
Advertisement
But Pavlyuchenkova, who matched her 2016 feat of reaching the last eight here in SW19, did not fold.
Kartal, though, can be proud of her run and she deserved the standing ovation that accompanied her exit..
3
Wimbledon 2025 LIVE -
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
35 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Brumbies clash puts Lions Test contenders under selection microscope
Time and matches are running out for the 38 players in Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad to prove to their boss they have what it takes to make the team to face Australia in 11 days. The 15 selected on Monday on arrival in the nation's capital to face the Brumbies on Wednesday night must be considered the favourites to start that first of three Tests against the Wallabies given this match's proximity to the series opener and the stern test the hosts possess as the leading Super Rugby franchise on these shores. This Saturday's meeting with the Australian/New Zealand invitation XV in Adelaide will provide a final opportunity to break through into the Test matchday 23 seven days later but the onus is on Wednesday night's squad to remove any doubt from Farrell's mind that they belong in the Test team. That means turning 50-50 decisions into more favourable odds and the Lions head coach knows exactly what he is looking for. 'You want to see them stay in every single moment of the game,' Farrell explained, 'and I know that sounds harsh and almost impossible to do but they understand 100% now, and have done for a week or so, what is expected of them to be the best team-mate that they can possibly be. 'So, that's what we're judging them on, the expectation of that and what it takes to be the best version of themselves but also what it takes to be part of this team and they understand that because ultimately that's what is going to make us successful or not.' There is a sense that some players named on Monday to face the Brumbies have already had their names inked in for the Brisbane opener, not least captain Maro Itoje who partners Joe McCarthy, one of eight Irishmen in this putative Test team, in the second row. The front row of Ellis Genge and Irish duo Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong have emerged as the most settled and yet dynamic and aggressive trio while the half-back pairing of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell has seemed nailed on to start against Joe Schmidt's side at Suncorp Stadium since they started together for the first time just a fortnight ago in the same venue against the Queensland Reds. There appears to be still some convincing to do for this Lions back row of Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, and Jack Conan as Farrell continues his quest for the right balance for attacking the breakdown while also ensuring the lineout clicks with an extra jumper at the set-piece while in midfield the Lions will air their fifth different partnership in as many matches when the all-Irish pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose gets the chance to outdo the displays and clear synchronicity put on by Scotland duo Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones last time out against the Waratahs. Farrell wants a headache by the time he gets to Brisbane, that much is clear, but even better would be for his starting XV to emerge with shining clarity over these next two games. 'Guys will know all along… selection, there's a feel. It's not just 100 per cent, 'he's the best player and he has to'… it's combinations and it's how he makes the team tick and the team feel etc, there's a lot of different stuff that has to come together in regards to what makes a team play well. 'At the same time if you're talking about the individuals then if there's a 50-50 that has to be made, we'll make it. It might come down to something that they don't agree with but I always think that selection, if you make it a 60-40 or a 70-30 in your favour then that says it all really.' BRUMBIES: A Muirhead; B O'Donnell, O Sapsford, D Feliuai, C Toole; D Meredith, R Lonergan – captain; L Ieli, L Lonergan, R van Nek; L Shaw, C Neville; T Hooper, R Scott, T Taii Tualima. Replacements: L Bowron, C Orr, F Fotuaika, L Hooper, L Reimer, H Goddard, J Debreczini, H Creighton. BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: B Kinghorn; T Freeman, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Lowe; F Russell, J Gibson-Park; E Genge, D Sheehan, T Furlong; M Itoje – captain, J McCarthy; O Chessum, T Curry, J Conan. Replacements: R Kelleher, A Porter, W Stuart, J van der Flier, H Pollock, A Mitchell, M Smith, M Hansen.
The Irish Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Wimbledon TV viewers spot large red marks on Ben Shelton during round of 16 clash Lorenzo Sonego
TENNIS fans couldn't help but notice large red marks on the arm of Ben Shelton. The American wore his trademark tank top for a Wimbledon clash with Lorenzo Sonego. Advertisement 4 Ben Shelton had large red marks on his shoulder during his game at Wimbledon on Monday Credit: ESPN 4 Ben Shelton was in fourth round action at Wimbledon on Monday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial And fans watching the action were distracted by the patches on his body. Shelton, 22, had two noticeable large red marks on his left shoulder. The No. 10 seed takes incredible care of his body. And one of the methods he uses is cupping therapy. Advertisement It involves suction to draw fluid into the area but can leave marks like the ones on Shelton's arm. The marks are due to broken blood vessels just beneath the skin and can look like a bruise. One viewer said, "Shelton with suction marks on his body. "He's about to unleash the dragon lol." Advertisement Most read in Sport Fans first noticed Shelton was using cupping therapy at the 2023 US Open. He played Frances Tiafoe in an all-American clash at the grand slam. Shelton's sister celebrates securing week off work to watch brother at Wimbledon "What are those circles on Ben Shelton's l arm? A rash? On Ashe?" one fan asked. Another suggested, "Ben Shelton has been doing cupping on his shoulders and upper arms." Advertisement Shelton took on Italian player Sonego on No. 1 Court for a place in the quarterfinals. The No. 10 seed has never previously been beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon. His best grand slam return was the semifinals twice. 4 Ben Shelton played Lorenzo Sonego in the last-16 on Monday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement 4 Ben Shelton's girlfriend Trinity Rodman (left) and sister Emma watch his game Credit: PA He reached that stage of the 2023 US Open as well as the 2025 Australian Open. The American is dating USWNT star Trinity Rodman. The soccer player is also the daughter of basketball icon Dennis Rodman. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun She supported Shelton from the player's box on Monday. Rodman looked glamorous in a two-piece blue outfit.
The Irish Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Wayne Rooney and Coleen in good spirits at Wimbledon as he is pictured for first time since landing huge MOTD deal
WAYNE ROONEY was all smiles as he attended Wimbledon alongside wife Coleen. The former 5 Wayne Rooney attended Day 8 of Wimbledon alongside wife Coleen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Rooney, 39, was in good spirits on Centre Court Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Novak Djokovic put on a show against Alex de Minaur Credit: Shutterstock Editorial SunSport As part of his Beeb duties, the The initial two-year deal possesses an option for a further two-year extension, which would take his fee up to £800k. This move appears to signal the end of Rooney's managerial career, at least for now. The popular star was sacked by Rooney joins a Match of the Day shake-up that sees Coleen, meanwhile, netted a reported £10million deal with Disney The deal will see Wayne and Coleen appear in a documentary alongside their four sons. Most read in Tennis BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19 The couple were treated to a battling Djokovic comeback on Centre Court. The Serbian, 38, recovered from a poor start to beat De Minaur 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4. Novak Djokovic comes through tough test against Katie Boulter's fiance Alex de Minaur to reach Wimbledon quarter-final Also in attendance was the Serbian's former rival Roger Federer, watching from the Royal Box. Speaking on court after his win, Djokovic joked of Federer: "I mean this is probably the first time he is watching me where I have won the match! "The last couple of times I lost, so it's good to break the curse. It is obviously great to have Roger here. "He is a huge champion and someone I admired and respected a lot. We shared the stage for many years and it is great to have him back at his most successful and favourite tournament, no doubt." 5 Roger Federer was in attendance on Centre Court Credit: Getty
