Bridge too far as spirited Sonay Kartel gives way to Coco Gauff’s superiority

  • American overcomes British qualifier 6-4, 6-0
  • Jasmine Paolini beats Bianca Andreescu 7-6, 6-1

For about half an hour on No 1 Court, Sonay Kartal conjured thoughts of a major upset as she went toe to toe with Coco Gauff, one of the favourites for the women’s title. The first British qualifier to reach the third round here since 1997, Kartal wasn’t fazed by the occasion or opponent and recovered an early break for 4-4 before the second seed Gauff pulled away for a 6-4, 6-0 victory.

Ranked 298, the 22-year-old Kartal will now return to the world’s top 200 at a career-high 189, reward for qualifying and then beating seasoned players in Sorana Cirstea and Clara Burel. Gauff proved a bridge too far, but the progress is encouraging.

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