Sonay Kartal's charge to the Wuhan Open final has made her Britain's top-ranked woman and lifted her to a career-high ranking.
Sonay Kartal is Britain's new number one. Her run to the Wuhan Open final was the breakthrough that carried her to the top of the British women's rankings and to a career-high position on the WTA list.
The milestone caps a season of steady progress for the British-Turkish player. Reaching a final on the tour's big stage showed she can win rounds against top opposition and handle the pressure of a deep run.
Looking back on the achievement, Kartal has spoken about what it means to lead British women's tennis. The title carries expectation, but it also shows how far her game and her belief have come.
The next challenge is to turn this surge into lasting consistency. Holding a place at the top of the British game means backing up the Wuhan form week after week, and all eyes will be on how she handles the spotlight.
