Sonay Kartal advanced to the third round, while Katie Boulter was defeated in the second round.
Wimbledon is defined by pivotal moments. As Katie Boulter reflects on whether her opportunity will arise, Sonay Kartal is seizing hers.
Boulter began her SW19 campaign impressively, defeating ninth seed Paula Badosa in the first round, but subsequently relinquished a lead to suffer a three-set loss against lucky loser Solana Sierra.
This marks the second consecutive year that the British number two has failed to progress to the third round at Wimbledon.
“It’s certainly painful; it’s always a difficult outcome to accept here,” Boulter commented.
“Unfortunately, that’s just the nature of the sport. I may simply have to accept that my moment might not come.”
Her exit was particularly disappointing given her strong performance against Badosa.
She embraced the underdog role in that match but entered as the favourite against Argentine rookie Sierra.
Despite rallying from 5-2 down to win the first set, Boulter’s errors proved costly as her 21-year-old opponent claimed the following two sets for a 6-7 (9-7), 6-2, 6-1 victory.
“One could easily dismiss it as a regrettable loss on paper,” the 28-year-old added.
“Ultimately, she performed better than I did on the day. That’s simply how it is.”
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Analysis: Kartal a ‘role model’ in the women’s game
In contrast, Kartal appears to be thriving at Wimbledon.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the past year, defeating 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the first round – her third victory against a top-20 opponent this year. She followed this with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova to reach the third round.
Kartal is a recognizable figure on the court, known for her tattoos and vintage tennis attire, and seems to relish playing on the grand stage.
Her path to professional tennis is unconventional, having largely self-funded her career, which she credits with fostering rapid maturity.
“During my formative years, I often participated in tournaments independently due to financial constraints,” said Kartal, who has ascended approximately 250 places in the rankings over the past year to 51st.
“I believe it was beneficial. It facilitated my development as a teenager, accelerated my maturity, and instilled a sense of accountability.”
Kartal’s next match is against French qualifier Diane Parry, who defeated 12th seed and world number 15 Diana Shnaider to reach the third round.
The British number three is determined to maintain her momentum as she aims to reach the fourth round for the first time.
“Competing at a home Grand Slam is an arena where I aspire to perform well in front of my loved ones, friends, family, and everyone who supports me,” Kartal added.
“Furthermore, grass is not my natural surface. I must consciously adapt my game style, which I believe will contribute to my development beyond this tournament.”
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