British tennis player Sonay Kartal’s journey through the Miami Open hit a roadblock after an impressive run at Indian Wells. Kartal, who recently made it to the last 16 at Indian Wells after defeating top-20 player Beatriz Haddad Maia, was unfortunately defeated by world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. Despite her strong performance in California, Kartal faced a setback in the Miami Open qualifying match, losing 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 to America’s Taylor Townsend.
Missed Opportunity in Miami
Following her standout performance at Indian Wells, where she climbed to No 63 in the world rankings, Kartal had high hopes for the Miami Open. However, her dreams were dashed after a hard-fought battle against Townsend. Despite the loss, Kartal’s journey in the tennis world has been one of resilience and determination, showcasing her potential to shine on the international stage.
Kartal’s absence from the Miami Open main draw leaves Britain with only two representatives in the women’s singles tournament—Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu. With Raducanu just three spots ahead of Kartal in the rankings, all eyes are on the young star as she prepares to face Japan’s Sayaka Ishii in her opening match at Miami. Harriet Dart’s defeat in the qualifiers further narrows Britain’s presence in the women’s singles competition, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between the remaining British contenders.
British Hopes in Men’s Qualifying
While Kartal’s journey in the Miami Open may have faced a setback, British No. 3 Jacob Fearnley is on the brink of reaching the men’s singles main draw after a convincing victory over Netherlands’ Thijs Boogaard. Fearnley’s upcoming match against American Tristan Boyer holds the promise of advancing further in the tournament, adding to the British presence in the competitive field.
The men’s singles draw also features British players Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie, with Draper, the new Indian Wells champion, receiving a first-round bye. Draper is set to face the winner of the match between Roberto Bautista Agut and Jakub Mensik, while Norrie is gearing up to take on Bu Yunchaokete of China in the opening round. With the competition heating up in Miami, British tennis fans have much to look forward to as their favorite players take the court in pursuit of victory.
As the Miami Open unfolds, the spotlight remains on the talented athletes vying for success on the prestigious stage. From thrilling matches to unexpected upsets, the tournament promises a spectacle of skill and determination, drawing fans from around the world to witness the magic of elite tennis competition. Stay tuned for more updates and memorable moments from the Miami Open, live on Sky Sports and streaming with NOW.
