In a stunning upset at the 2026 Wuhan Open, Sonay Kartal defeated ninth seed Belinda Bencic with a scoreline of 6-0, 7-5, propelling herself into the tournament’s third round. The British player’s performance on Tuesday marked one of the most significant surprises of the WTA event.
Kartal Comes Back from Injury to Stun Bencic in Wuhan
The 24-year-old Kartal began the match with an impeccable service game, winning all 12 first-serve points she played in the opening set, which she completed in just 27 minutes. This dominant display was particularly notable given her recent six-month absence from the tour due to a back stress fracture. Her commanding start against a former Olympic gold medalist and 2025 Wimbledon semifinalist highlighted a strong return to competitive tennis.
Although Bencic, currently ranked No. 12 in the world, fought back in the second set to take an early 3-1 lead, Kartal managed to regain control. She secured a crucial break at 5-5 and then held her serve to close out the match, demonstrating resilience under pressure.
Reflecting on her victory, Kartal acknowledged the challenges ahead despite her success. “I did a lot of things right today, but I still think there’s a long way to go,” she said. “I’m happy to be back, I’m feeling good.”
This win represents Kartal’s sixth career victory over a Top 20 opponent and stands as her most notable achievement since defeating Mirra Andreeva in Beijing last year. Currently ranked No. 170 due to her recent time away, this result is expected to boost her ranking by approximately 40 spots.
Looking forward, Kartal will face 15th seed Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16. This encounter will mark their first-ever meeting on the WTA Tour, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup as Kartal continues her comeback journey.