Fit-again Kartal takes top-50 scalp with Wuhan win
Britain's Sonay Kartal continues her impressive form since returning from injury by beating Anhelina Kalinina in straight sets to reach the second round of the Wuhan Open.
Sonay Kartal, ranked 170th in the world, has returned from injury stronger than ever by defeating Anhelina Kalinina in straight sets at the Wuhan Open. The British number five, sidelined with a stress fracture in her back for six months, defeated the Ukrainian player 7-5, 6-3 in an hour and 31 minutes. Currently ranked 170th, Kartal will now face Swiss ninth seed Belinda Bencic in her next match.
Earlier this month, Kartal reached the third round at the Beijing Open, her first WTA tournament in six months following her back injury. She had previously lost to Marie Bouzkova in the Billie Jean King Cup team event, but won subsequent matches against Spain's Andrea Lazaro Garcia and Wang Xinyu in Beijing. Kartal served four aces and won 23 of 30 points when landing her first serve against Kalinina, ultimately securing her spot in the last-32 stage after Kalinina saved two match points.
Zheng Qinwen also withdrew from her Wuhan tournament after feeling fatigued from an intense run of matches, citing her recent elbow surgery and struggles with form and fitness over the past year.
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