Kartal comeback ends in third round at China Open

Women's Football / 4 October 2026 Chelsea ease to London derby victory over West Ham 4 October 2026 Men's tennis / 4 October 2026 Star of the show Djokovic keeps Beijing streak alive with Zverev win at China Open 4 October 2026 Men’s Football / 4 October 2026 Robertson enjoying ‘unbelievable’ moment after securing 100th Scotland cap 4 October 2026 Tennis: China Open / 4 October 2026 Sabalenka knocked out of China Open in straight sets by Bartunkova 4 October 2026 SONAY KARTAL’S WTA Tour comeback at the China Open has ended after she lost in straight sets to Alina Charaeva in the third round today.

The Masters event in Beijing represented Kartal’s first WTA tournament since March after a six-month absence with a stress fracture in her back.

Kartal, who made the fourth round of Wimbledon last year, showed good form in China to beat Andrea Lazaro Garcia and Wang Xinyu, but exited in the last 32 following a 6-4 6-1 loss to Charaeva, who stunned world number one Elena Rybakina in round two.

British number five Kartal played her part in a competitive 91-minute battle on Moon Court and broke Charaeva in the first set, but struggled on her own serve to lose the opener.

Further opportunities were presented in the second and yet with Kartal unable to convert any of her five break points, Charaeva cruised into the fourth round.