2 months ago
22
Sonay Kartal wants to ink her place in Wimbledon’s second week, then mark the milestone with a new tattoo.
The British No 3 became the first home player through to the second round when she shocked 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 on No 3 Court.
Next up is Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova, whose first-round opponent, two-time finalist Ons Jabeur, retired in tears.
Kartal believes she can make the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time — and would celebrate by getting her 15th tattoo.
‘Knowing me, I’d get one,’ said the 23-year-old, who got her 14th inking — a bee — at the French Open.
‘I would like something related to Wimbledon.’
British star Sonay Kartal has outlined her plans to reach Wimbledon's second week this year
Kartal defeated world No 20 Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 in three sets on No 3 Court
The draw has opened up for Kartal, especially after Ons Jabeur was forced to retire on Monday
Kartal was ranked 298th at the start of last year’s Wimbledon, when she reached the third round as a qualifier, but is now 51st. The Brighton-based star registered the biggest win of her career at Queen’s, when she beat then world No 16 Daria Kasatkina.
Having been well beaten by Ostapenko in Eastbourne last week, Kartal must have feared a repeat when she trailed 5-2 in the first set. She fought back to take the opener, then, after being thumped in the second set, bounced back again to romp away with the decider.
‘That is probably my biggest win,’ she said. ‘I wanted to deliver on the first day at my home Slam. I’m super proud. It’s given me masses of confidence.’
The draw has opened up for Kartal, especially after the downfall of Jabeur.
The Tunisian, 30, was forced to stop 26 minutes into her match with Tomova for medical checks, then returned before eventually calling time trailing 7-6, 2-0.
‘I’m really sad,’ said Jabeur.
