Britain’s Sonay Kartal calls her debut WTA 1000 final at the Wuhan Open a true dream realized, noting that mental toughness ranks among her greatest strengths.
Kartal became just the second British woman—after Johanna Konta’s runs in Beijing 2016, Miami 2017 and Rome 2019—to reach a WTA 1000 final, edging Jelena Ostapenko 7‑6 (11‑9), 7‑6 (7‑5).
The 24‑year‑old, in only her third event back from a back injury, fended off several set points and punished Ostapenko even as the Latvian rattled an incredible 50 winners.
“Today felt like a dream come true,” Kartal told reporters.
“I’ve chased a run like this for ages, and to achieve it so quickly after a long layoff feels special,” she said.
“Having my team in the box, keeping me fit and injury‑free, makes this moment even more meaningful for all of us,” she added.
Ranked 170th, she is the lowest‑seeded player to reach Wuhan’s final and is poised to crack the top 50, becoming Britain’s new No. 1.
Since the format’s debut in 1990, only Naomi Osaka in Montreal 2005 and Kartal have beaten five former finalists en route to a WTA‑1000 final.
‘I’ve been the underdog in every match here’
Her win also continued a streak of triumphs over former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, ex‑Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini and world No. 6 Elina Svitolina.
“I’ve often been the underdog here, so the only pressure I feel is the one I place on myself,” she explained.
“Despite the time out, I still expected to deliver a solid performance and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved this week,” she noted.
“Each first‑time milestone has boosted my confidence, and today’s atmosphere was electric,” she observed.
“Stepping onto that court felt special; the battle lived up to expectations and I’m proud of how I handled every moment,” she reflected.
‘The mental side of sport is one of my strongest assets’
After a fourth‑round run at Indian Wells in March, Kartal missed three of the season’s four Grand Slams—including Wimbledon due to a six‑month stress‑fracture recovery—returning only last month at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Previously as high as No. 44, she showed promise by reaching Beijing’s third round earlier this month, yet could hardly have imagined such rapid success.
“Mentally, that’s one of my biggest assets; I stay calm when situations heat up and frustration looms,” she said.
“I try to use that calm to my advantage, noticing when an opponent gets emotional and then tightening my focus,” she explained.
“I’ve been lucky mentally—many players need to work on it, but it’s always come naturally to me,” she added.
“Having no pressure this week helped; each win built confidence, creating a cascade of good things that kept my composure,” she observed.
Fleming: Kartal is playing the tennis of her life
“Her presence in the moment carried her through; she stayed cool while Ostapenko’s 50 winners weren’t enough to take a set,” a commentator noted.
“A brilliant feat, and the journey isn’t over—she’s playing the best tennis of her life and has every chance at the title,” the analyst remarked.
“It’s impressive how she absorbs everything; hearing her say the win was mental proves it carried her through both sets as Ostapenko unraveled,” the pundit added.
“Kartal stayed composed and seized her opportunities; I see every reason to expect a strong final performance. Not saying she’ll win, but it’s exciting,” the coach said.
“I fully trust she’ll handle the occasion, play her exceptional tennis, and give herself every chance if she sticks to that plan,” the former player asserted.