Britain’s Sonay Kartal missed out on what would have been the biggest title of her career when she faded in a thrilling Wuhan Open final against French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska.
Kartal, 24, was attempting to lift the trophy in only his third event since returning from a six-month absence caused by a back injury.
But an extraordinary week seemed to catch up with Kartal as she ran out of steam – physically and mentally – in a 2-6 6-4 6-2 defeat.
Kartal was playing just the 10th match of her impressive comeback and trying to become the first British woman to win a WTA 1,000 title since Johanna Konta in 2017.
Ranked 170th in the world at the start of the event, Kartal reached Sunday’s final facing a host of notable opponents, including current top 10 players and former major champions.
However, Poland’s Chwalinska, who shocked her way to the Roland Garros final this year, dragged Kartal into a brutal battle and eventually gained the upper hand.
Kartal dominated the first set and led by a break in the second before Chwalinska turned in his favor.
Chwalinska, 25, felt a little nervous as she closed in on her first WTA 1,000 title, but took her third championship point when Kartal hammered a long forehand.
Despite losing in the final, Kartal experienced a week of transformation that she didn’t even see coming.
On Monday, she will climb to 50th in the world rankings – just below her career high – and become British number one for the first time.
Addressing his team before receiving the runner-up award, Kartal said: “This is not the result we wanted today, but these three people in my dressing room are the reason why I am here, healthy and back in shape.
“We had an incredible week. Not many people expected me to be here and reach the level I did.”
Gn sports
