Kartal loses Wuhan Open final but set to become British number one

Sonay Kartal lost the Wuhan Open final to Maja Chwalinska on Sunday, missing out on the biggest title of her career but set to become British number one when the rankings are updated on Monday. [1]

Kartal, 24, took the first set 6-2 and led by a break in the second, but Chwalinska fought back to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. The Polish player sealed victory on her third championship point, after Kartal hit a forehand long. [1]

The final came in only Kartal’s third tournament since returning from a six-month absence with a back injury. Ranked 170th at the start of the Wuhan event, she reached the final by beating several leading players, including top-10 opponents and former major champions, according to BBC Sport. [1]

Kartal was bidding to become the first British woman to win a WTA 1,000 title since Johanna Konta in 2017. Despite the defeat, she is due to rise to 50th in the world rankings, just below her career best, and take the British number one spot for the first time. [1]