Brit Sonay Kartal matches Emma Raducanu’s incredible feat of winning first title as a qualifier

22-year-old Briton Sonay Kartal won the Jasmin Open title in Tunisia to match her compatriot Emma Raducanu's achievement.

Brit Sonay Kartal matches Emma Raducanu’s incredible feat of winning first title as a qualifier

Sonay Kartal, Emma Raducanu (Images via X, The NYT)

Sonay Kartal scripted history on Sunday (September 15) when she beat Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 7-5 in the Jasmin Open final in Tunisia, becoming the first qualifier to win a WTA singles title this season. With this, Kartal matches her compatriot Emma Raducanu in winning the title as a qualifier.

Emma Raducanu‘s famous US Open win was a historic one as the Briton went on to clinch the title as a qualifier, beating Leylah Fernandez in the final. Now, Kartal has repeated this feat by winning the WTA 250 tournament.

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Kartal, who dropped only one set throughout the week, was over the moon after clinching her first tour-level title. The 22-year-old expressed excitement and stated that she played some of her best tennis in Tunisia.

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It's unbelievable. I've had such a good week this week, played some of my best tennis this week, had some of my best wins. I feel like each match I've kind of grown and got better.
Sonay Kartal said (H/T: WTA)
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With the win in Munatsir, Kartal has become the second player from Great Britain to win a title in 2024. Her fellow Brit Katie Boulter took home the singles trophies in both San Diego and Nottingham this year.

Sonay Kartal sets new goals for next season after a successful 2024

After winning the Jasmin Open, Sonay Kartal reflected on her successful season, with the highlight being the third-round exit at the Wimbledon Championships. While she started the season outside the Top 300, the Brighton native is also set to break into the Top 100 following her title win in Tunisia.

Sonay-Kartal
Sonay Kartal (Image via LTA)

Kartal is excited about achieving her goal for the season and is looking forward to the next year. The 22-year-old aims to put herself in the best position to make it to the Australian Open next season. 

I started the year with the goal of being Top 150, so now I think I've past that. I think I'm just trying to end the year in the Top 100. It's to put myself in the best position for Australia at the start of the year.
Sonay Kartal said after her title win in Tunisia
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In the final against Rebecca Sramkova, Kartal took control of the contest from the start. She was comfortably in the lead at 6-3, 4-1 when Sramkova staged a comeback and leveled the score in the second set. Despite the Slovakian’s best efforts to take the contest to a decider, the Brit stood strong to seal victory in straight sets.