Britain’s Kartal reaches first career WTA semi-final

Sonny Kartal – WTA 2024

Britain’s Sonay Kartal is set for a new career-high ranking after reaching her first WTA Tour semi-final.

The 22-year-old beat Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 at the Jasmin Open in Tunisia to set up a meeting with Germany’s Eva Lys in the last four.

Kartal was a break down in the opening set before winning on a tie-break and then took control of the match.

It meant she was able to get past an opponent who had beaten her in the final round of US Open qualifying just a few weeks ago.

Brighton’s Kartal, the British number four, reached the third round of Wimbledon earlier this year and her run in Monastir means she will move inside the world’s top 130.