Sonay Kartal wins WTA Tour return match at China Open after injury layoff
Quick Look
- British tennis player Sonay Kartal won her WTA Tour comeback match at the China Open, defeating Andrea Lazaro Garcia 6-2 6-3 after a six-month injury absence.
- She will face Wang Xinyu next, while fellow Britons Harriet Dart and Cameron Norrie play later on Thursday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Sonay Kartal returned to the WTA Tour after a six-month absence due to a lower back injury sustained at Indian Wells in March. Her return match at the Billie Jean King Cup on 22 September resulted in a narrow loss to Marie Bouzkova.
Britain's Sonay Kartal won on her return to the WTA Tour after almost six months out with injury as she beat Andrea Lazaro Garcia at the China Open.
The 24-year-old injured her lower back at Indian Wells in March and only made her return to tennis at the Billie Jean King Cup on 22 September.
Kartal, who narrowly lost to Czech world number 26 Marie Bouzkova on that return last week, produced a confident performance in Beijing to beat Spain's Lazaro Garcia 6-2 6-3.
The Briton broke the qualifier's serve five times - helped by four double faults from her opponent - and landed 69% of her first serves.
World number 129 Kartal will face Chinese 31st seed Wang Xinyu next as she bids to work her way back up the world rankings.
Fellow Britons Harriet Dart and Cameron Norrie both play later on Thursday.
Elsewhere, British number one Arthur Fery fell 6-4 3-6 6-4 to Portuguese lucky loser Jaime Faria in the Japan Open first round.
Denmark's Holger Rune also lost on his first ATP Tour appearance for almost a year.
Former world number four Rune tore his Achilles tendon in October 2025 and has since dropped out of the top 100.
He was beaten 6-3 6-1 by France's Kyrian Jacquet in Tokyo.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Sonay Kartal will face Wang Xinyu in her next match at the China Open
Very likely · Within days
Harriet Dart and Cameron Norrie will play their matches later on Thursday
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- How deep will Sonay Kartal run in the China Open?
- What is the extent of Holger Rune's Achilles tendon recovery?
- Will Arthur Fery regain form in upcoming tournaments?
