Sonay Kartal's Incredible Indian Wells Run Ends Against Aryna Sabalenka
What a story it’s been for Sonay Kartal at Indian Wells 2025! Just a year ago, she was ranked outside the top 250 in the world, and now, she’s set to break into the top 70. But even great runs have to end, and unfortunately for Kartal, it was world number one Aryna Sabalenka who stopped her in the fourth round.
Kartal’s journey in the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. Originally, she didn’t even expect to be in the main draw. She lost in the qualifying rounds and had already checked out of her accommodation, thinking her Indian Wells campaign was over. But fate had other plans. With Sloane Stephens withdrawing due to injury, Kartal was granted a spot as a lucky loser—and she made the most of it.
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From there, she stunned everyone. She defeated seasoned players like Varvara Lepchenko and then pulled off an incredible upset against the 16th seed, Beatriz Haddad Maia. That victory alone was a career-defining moment. Kartal didn’t stop there, taking down higher-ranked Russian Polina Kudermetova to advance to the last 16 in a WTA 1000 event for the very first time.
Then came the big test—facing Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world number one and a three-time Grand Slam champion. Kartal fought hard, but Sabalenka’s sheer power and precision proved too much to handle. The final score was 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour. The scoreline might seem one-sided, but Kartal’s resilience and effort on the court were evident.
Even with this loss, Kartal has every reason to be proud. This tournament has propelled her into the spotlight and cemented her as one of Britain’s rising stars in tennis. Moving up to a career-high ranking of 63, she’s now just a few places behind Emma Raducanu, her former childhood rival.
This is yet another milestone in Kartal’s inspiring journey. She had a breakthrough year in 2024, winning her first WTA Tour title in Monastir and breaking into the world’s top 100. But what makes her rise even more special is the adversity she overcame. Earlier in 2024, she faced a major health scare that left her in and out of the hospital, uncertain if she would even play again. But she returned stronger and with a fresh perspective on her career. That mindset has helped her rise through the ranks with determination and grit.
This Indian Wells run may have ended, but for Sonay Kartal, this is just the beginning. With her newfound confidence and career-high ranking, she now has a golden opportunity to compete in bigger tournaments and make an even greater impact on the WTA Tour. Keep an eye on her—this won’t be the last time we hear her name on the big stage!
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