Sonay Kartal loses in straight sets to Linda Noskova in China Open quarter-final

0
7
Sonay Kartal loses in straight sets to Linda Noskova in China Open quarter-final
Sonay Kartal
Sonay Kartal fell in the last eight in Beijing – Getty Images/Fred Lee

b’

Sonay Kartal’s wonderful run at the China Open came to an end at the quarter-final stage, as she ran into a coruscating display of hitting from Linda Noskova.

The levels at these big events climb as you move through the rounds, and Noskova was completely dialled in as she slammed 30 winners in her 6-3, 6-4 win.

There were moments of promise for Kartal, who broke Noskova twice: once to move to 3-3 in the first set, and then again in the opening game of the second.

But on each occasion she was unable to maintain the pressure. As a rugged competitor rather than an out-and-out shotmaker, Kartal cannot afford to cough up errors, and there were too many of these on Friday: 17 in the 19 games played.

Still, this was the sort of run to convince Kartal that she can build a regular presence in the world’s top 50. She comes away from Beijing with £140,000 in prize money to reinvest in her career, and a 21-place climb on the rankings ladder.

This means that she slots in at No 60, one place above compatriot Katie Boulter. As a result, 22-year-old Emma Raducanu and 23-year-old Kartal – who were once captured playing a famous rally at London’s National Tennis Centre as nine-year-olds – are the new British No 1 and 2.


Thanks for joining us!

That brings our coverage of Sonay Kartal’s defeat by Linda Noskova in the quarter-final of the China Open to an end.

It had been a statement week for the world No 81, who has been ranked as high as No 44. But Noskova, seeded 26th this week, proved too much for Kartal as she sealed a routine 6-3, 6-4 victory to reach the semi-finals in Beijing.

Thank you for joining us!


Kartal* 3-6, 4-6 Noskova

Noskova is clearly in the mood to close out this game. She produces as cross-court backhand winner to make it 15-0.

Terrible timing, as Kartal goes wide with her forehand return to make it 0-30.

Noskova is two points away from victory. She seals victory with a cross-court forehand winner.

She was simply too strong for Kartal on the day and advances to the semi-final. The Czech will face either 16th seed Emma Navarro or world number seven Jessica Pegula.

Kartal quickly heads off court after her fairytale run in China ends.

Game, set and match Noskova.


Kartal 3-6, 4-5 Noskova*

Noskova races to a 30-0 lead and gets to 40-0 after Kartal nets a forehand return. 

A brilliant hold to love for the Czech player.


Kartal* 3-6, 4-4 Noskova

A much better service game from Kartal, as she races ahead 40-0.

A simple love-hold for the British player, as she closes out the game with a forehand winner down the line.


Kartal 3-6, 3-4 Noskova*

A simple love-hold from Noskova who is starting to build momentum in this second set.

The Czech closes out the game with an ace. She has only dropped one point in her last three service games. So, how can Kartal respond?

A big match for the Briton coming up.


Kartal* 3-6, 3-3 Noskova

Noskova races ahead 30-0 after two backhand winners down the line. However, Kartal responds with an ace to make it 15-30.

However, Noskova shows her aggression at the baseline to produce a cross-court forehand, which Kartal had no chance of returning.

It is break point for Noskova and she lobs it over Kartal’s head to make it 3-3 in this second set.


Kartal 3-6, 3-2 Noskova*

Noskova looks frustrated as she puts her backhand into the net to bring up two break points for Kartal.

Howver, Noskova shows grit and saves both break points, as she catches Kartal out with a dipping backhand as she came into the net.

She survives a long deuce game and takes the game.

Linda Noskova
Linda Noskova is showing her aggression at the baseline – Getty Images/VCG

Kartal* 3-6, 3-1 Noskova

Kartal races ahead 30-0 after two brilliant serves out wide. However, Noskova responds with a backhand winner down the line to make it 15-30.

However, Noskova forces Kartal into a mistake to make it 30-30. Kartal responds with another serve out wide which Noskova has no chance of returning. 

Kartal is really having to grind out the points but she manages to hold.


Kartal 3-6, 2-1 Noskova*

A brilliant response from Noskova. From 30-0 down, the Czech turns it around to get the break straight back. She was impressive at the net and sealed break point with a brilliant volley.


Kartal* 3-6, 2-0 Noskova

A simple hold from Kartal after the Briton started the game with a forehand win.

Kartal is looking so confident on court, as she takes a 2-0 lead in this second set.

Sonay Kartal
Sonay Kartal is gaining momentum in this second set – Getty Images/Fred Lee

Second set: Kartal 3-6, 1-0 Noskova*

Noskova races ahead to 0-30 lead but Kartal gets on the board at 15-30. However, Kartal shows grit with a sublime forehand to make it 30-30.

Kartal wins the opening match of this second set after drawing two errors from the Czech.

Important game for Kartal to win to get this second start started.


Kartal* 3-6 Noskova

Huge moment for Noskova now. Can she get the job done? She starts well with two backhand winners to make it 0-30.

However, Kartal responds to make it 15-30 after a sublime forehand winner. 

However, she brings up set point after Kartal’s forehand goes long. And she takes it with a magnificent approach shot at the net.

Noskova takes the opening set in China.


Kartal 3-5 Noskova*

Crucial hold for Noskova. From 15-0 down, she battles back by firing an ace and winning the game after hammering her forehand past Kartal.


Kartal* 3-4 Noskova

Noskova gets to 40-0 before some good scrapping sees Kartal get to 40-30. Massive hitting from Czech to get the winner and break the Briton.


Kartal 3-3 Noskova*

The momentum is shifting in this match and Kartal makes to 40-0 and three break points. Noskova saves the first two.

Tense, cat and mouse rally, Kartal hits a drop shot, but Noskova produced a fine backhand return. Kartal has the option of a lob but tries to go down the line with a backhand and nets. Big chance missed.

Noskova double faults. Fourth break point for Kartal. Low slice from Kartal, Noskova forehand into the net, Kartal breaks.


Kartal* 2-3 Noskova

That belief from Kartal is on full display here as she moves to 30-0. 

Tense, cat and mouse rally, Noskova hits a fine forehand return to make it 30-15. However, Kartal digs a shot to the baseline to make it 40-15.

She seals the game after Noskova’s backhand return goes wide.


Kartal 1-3 Noskova*

A simple love-hold from Noskova after the Czech started the game with a forehand win.

At the moment, Noskova is looking too good Kartal – she takes a 3-1 lead in this opening set.


Kartal* 1-2 Noskova

Kartal starts the game well, with a strong serve creating the chance for a forehand winner into the corner.

However, Noskova pushes a forehand a long and she then sends a backhand slice wide, giving Kartal a 40-30 lead and a chance of a first game.

A wonderful forehand whipped into the corner from Kartal and she finally gets on the board. That should help her settle.


Kartal 0-2 Noskova* (*denotes server)

The firepower of Noskova is causing Kartal all sorts of problems.She is managing to mix up her play and win the big points.

Another sublime backhand winner moves Noskova 2-0 in the opening set.

b’

A demanding opening there as Noskova slammed six winners in the first eight points! And I think the other two were Kartal winners. It’s been a sparky start.


First set: Sonay Kartal* 0-1 Linda Noskova (*denotes server)

Linda Noskova makes a perfect start, with a backhand winner down the line to make it 15-0.

Sonay Kartal responds well, serving an ace out wide to make it 15-15.

However, Nokova is putting early pressure on Kartal’s second serve and races ahead 40-15.

Three backhand winners from Nokova in this opening game. A tough start for Kartal as she looks overpowered by Noskova.


Here we go!

The warm-ups are done and we are now ready to get going, with Kartal serving first.


Warm-up are under way

The players are out on court, with both Sonay Kartal and Linda Noskova being given a good reception.

Noskova wins the toss and decides to receive first. The warm-ups are under way and the match will be starting very shortly.


ICYMI: Kartal claims biggest win of career against world No 5 Andreeva

b’

Sonay Kartal produced the finest performance of her young career as the Briton defeated Mirra Andreeva, the world No 5, in a thrilling 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 match at the China Open.

Playing for a place in the quarter-finals in Beijing, Kartal came up with some stunning shots on the big points as she lived up to her reputation as the ice woman of the tour.

In a match that took 2hr 25min, Kartal, the world No 60, kept her tennis as controlled as her expression. There were plenty of lengthy groundstroke rallies, in which she maintained superb length and weight of shot from the baseline. But the revelation here was how well she dealt with Andreeva’s tricks and flourishes.


Fact file

Sonay Kartal:

  • Age: 23
  • WTA ranking: 81
  • Turned professional: 2021
  • Coached by Julie Hobbs and Ben Reeves
  • Started playing tennis at the age of six at Pavillion & Avenue Tennis Club, where she still trains to this day

Linda Noskova:

  • Age: 20
  • WTA ranking: 27
  • Turned professional: 2019
  • Coached by Tomáš Krupa

Head-to-head record

Linda Noskova holds a 1-0 edge over Sonay Kartal in their head-to-head, a win that came earlier this season in Rome where the Czech powered through in a straight sets victory.


‘Playing my best tennis’ – Kartal’s rise continues

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the quarter-final at the China Open where Sonay Kartal will be aiming to follow up the biggest win of her career when she plays Linda Noskova.

Kartal produced some superb tennis in the last 16 as she defeated world number five Mirra Andreeva in three sets to reach the quarter-final of a WTA 1000 event for the first time.

Kartal had defeated Alicia Parks, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint to reach the last-16 in Beijing before stunning two-time major semi-finalist and reigning Indian Wells champion Andreeva in a gruelling battle that went the distance.

The Briton recovered from losing the second set against Andreeva, sealing victory with her second match point as her opponent – who won back-to-back 1000 events in Dubai and Indian Wells earlier this year – fired wide.

The 23-year-old has now risen above Katie Boulter in the WTA live rankings, taking her to British No 2, behind Emma Raducanu.

The Briton said: “I knew my match against Mira [Andreeva] was going to be far from easy.

“She’s a top-10 player for a very good reason and she made me play my best tennis today, so credit to her.

“I’m super happy with the level I managed to dig out in the end. I just tried to put that second set behind me.

“She played some great tennis so I just tried to level it out in the third set and keep the scoreboard pressure as high as I could.”

“The way I carry myself on the court is one of my biggest assets,” she explained. “You could look down the other end of the court and you wouldn’t know if I was winning or losing.

“She made me play my best tennis today, so credit to her, but I’m super happy with the level I managed out there.”

Kartal has enjoyed a strong season on the WTA Tour, making the last 16 at Wimbledon and Indian Wells, while she reached a career-high ranking of No 44 in July.

She added: “I think the way I carry myself on the court is one of my biggest assets. You could look down the other end at me and you wouldn’t really know if I’m winning or losing.”

Having received a bye through the opening round, Noskova kicked her tournament off with a straight sets victory over wild-card Xiyu Wang. A potential blockbuster with seventh seed Qinwen Zheng ended prematurely as Zheng retired injured in the decider, before Noskova went on to defeat Anastasia Potapova in straight sets.

Awaiting the winner of this match is a semi-final contest against either 16th seed Emma Navarro or world number seven Jessica Pegula.

O que achou dessa notícia? Deixe um comentário abaixo e/ou compartilhe em suas redes sociais. Assim conseguiremos informar mais pessoas sobre o que acontece no mundo do tênis!

Esta notícia foi originalmente publicada em:
Fonte original