Briton Kartal loses in Australian Open first round

Australian Open 2025

Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park

Sonay Kartal, who made her Australian Open main draw debut, had a chance to face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

The 23-year-old paid the price for a slow start as she was beaten 6-1 7-6 (7-5) by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in Melbourne.

After a strong season that saw her win her first WTA title, Kartal quickly rose up the rankings in 2024.

However, she did not have the tools to get on top against 52nd-ranked Bouzas Maneiro.

After thunderstorms prevented play, Kartal and Bouzas Maneiro had to wait for several hours before being allowed on the court.

There was still a delay even when the chair umpire and the court’s staff used towels to dry the court when they arrived at 18:15 local time.

Kartal sees herself as a “disrupter,” but the early rallies failed to unsettle Bouzas Maneiro.

In a one-sided first set, Bouzas Maneiro won 29 of the 44 points, knocking powerful winners off both flanks.

It appeared as though Kartal was on her way to a crushing defeat when she lost her serve and went 3-0 down in the second set.

However, as Kartal clawed back the break, Bouzas Maneiro started to appear agitated, suddenly making more forced errors.

The Spaniard had a 5-4, 30-40 lead, but a tight forehand volley wide indicated how pressured she was to win the match.

However, Kartal did not fully capitalise on her opponent’s tension.

The Briton jumped 4-2 in the tie-break before Bouzas Maneiro’s dismal mini-break, who had pushed her back on her weaker backhand, to reshape the outcome.