Britain's Sonay Kartal keeps her surge going, beating former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini in straight sets to reach the last eight in Wuhan.
Sonay Kartal is not slowing down. The British player took down former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the Wuhan Open, booking her place in the quarter-finals and adding another notable result to a resurgent run.
Paolini arrived with a big-match pedigree and a reputation as one of the tour's most relentless competitors. Kartal still won in two sets, which showed she can handle the pressure of facing a player who has been on tennis's biggest stages.
The win adds to the sense that Kartal's comeback is more than a brief spell of good form. Beating a top-level opponent without needing a decider shows growing belief and consistency, and those are the qualities that turn a hot streak into a lasting climb.
Next comes a place in the last eight in Wuhan, where the opposition will only get tougher. Kartal has the momentum, the confidence and a marquee scalp, and the rest of the draw will be watching.
