ABU DHABI, February 22, 2024 – Great britain’s Sonay Kartal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Open today, capitalizing on a fortunate turn of events and displaying impressive form against Renata Zarazua.
Kartal Capitalizes on bencic Withdrawal, Boulter Also Advances
British players Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter secured quarterfinal berths at the Abu Dhabi open and Ostrava Open, respectively.
- Sonay Kartal reached the Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinals after belinda Bencic’s illness forced her withdrawal.
- Kartal defeated Renata Zarazua 6-0,6-3 in a swift 57-minute match.
- Katie Boulter advanced at the Ostrava Open with a straight-sets win over Viktorija Golubic.
- Bencic, recently crowned a champion, was the first mother to win a WTA singles title since May 2023.
Kartal,ranked 61st in the world,benefited from the withdrawal of defending champion Belinda Bencic,the world number nine,who was sidelined due to illness. Bencic’s victory last year at this tournament was particularly noteworthy,as she became the first mother to claim a WTA singles title since May 2023,achieving this feat just four months after returning from maternity leave following her win over Ashlyn Krueger in the final.
Did you know? Belinda Bencic’s 2023 abu Dhabi Open win was notable. She was the first woman to win a WTA singles title while being a mother since May 2023, demonstrating a successful return to professional tennis.
What is the quickest a player can win a match in the Abu Dhabi Open? Kartal needed just 57 minutes to overcome Mexico’s Zarazua, a lucky loser in the draw, with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 performance. The British number two had previously navigated two qualifying matches and a first-round victory over Spain’s Cristina Busca to reach this stage.
Kartal will now face 20-year-old Czech player Sara Bejlek in the quarter-finals, seeking to continue her impressive run in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, at the Ostrava Open, fellow Briton Katie Boulter also enjoyed success.The 29-year-old secured her place in the last eight with a convincing straight-sets victory over Swiss fifth seed Viktorija Golubic.
Pro tip– Players often face challenges adjusting to different court surfaces. Boulter’s success in Ostrava suggests she’s adapting well to the conditions, which could be key to a deeper run in the tournament.
Boulter demonstrated her dominance, dropping only two games in each set. This win marks the first time she has achieved back-to-back main-draw singles victories as the Nottingham Open in June.
Reader question– What do you think is the biggest factor in Kartal and Boulter’s recent success? Share your thoughts on their strategies or momentum.
Did you know? Katie Boulter’s recent success at the Ostrava Open represents
