A week can be long of tennis, as demonstrated by the British no 3 Sonay Kartal by raising the fourth round of Indian Wells.
Last Tuesday, Kartal was in a state of gloom after losing a narrow battle with the teenage perspective Clervie Ngounoue in the last series of qualifications.
But a late place in the main draw was opened when Sloane Stephens retired with a foot injury. A so-called “lucky loser” had to be promoted to qualifications, and the organizers drawn the name of Kartal out of the hat.
How much she took advantage of her second chance, tasting three victories to reach the last 16 and demonstrate that she can mix it with the game elite.
Having started the tournament at n ° 83 in the world, Kartal will probably climb 20 places at the back of this race.
Whatever happens in her next match, she has already attracted in the 14 ranking points of Emma RaducanuA regular rival on the British junior circuit, which is now at n ° 55. For the context, you earn 15 points for a victory in the first round during one of the smallest WTA events.
Statistically, the best victory for Kartal Week came against No. 17 Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round. In the ranking, it was the most distinguished scalp of his entire career, although Haddad Maia watched in a way during a 6-2, 6-1 bat which only lasted 68 minutes.
The third round meeting on Monday with Polina Kudermetova provided a more rigid test, especially when Kudermetova started with a shooting shot shooting. The Russian exploded 17 own winners of this wing in the first set, and should have claimed it when it led 5-4, 40-0 on its own service. But then everything changed.
When Kartal made an excellent hand return along these three adjustment points, forcing a Kudermetova error, it did not immediately look like a turning point. But he instilled an iota of doubt in the mind of his opponent, and therefore turned out to be the first pebble in a dramatic landslide.
Imperious until this moment, Kudermetova collapsed mentally, serving double faults and biaring his earthly blows outside the court. Her body language has also become petulant and Mopy as she turned to her trainer after each error, her hands stretched.
A nugget player who makes you work hard for each point, Kartal has maintained an excellent poker face. Inside, however, she had to be delighted to see her opponent collapse so global. She made a rabbit of six consecutive games, then served her 7-5, 6-3 victory with huge composure.
Kartal’s reward is a meeting with Aryna Sabalenka, world n ° 1, which crossed its own third round match against Lucia Bronzetti by a 6-1, 6-2 margin.
Kartal clearly feels all the more comfortable because of his unconventional path to this tournament. “It won this pressure,” she told Sky Sports after her victory in the second round. “It’s nice to have almost a second chance. It is also my first time as a lucky loser. I actually moved hotels. I reserved it (the first hotel) to see me through qualities. »»
Earlier, the best British male player Jack Draper also reached the fourth round with a Set victory. His victim was Jenson Brooksby, the American who was prohibited for a large part of last season for missing doping tests, and who courageously revealed her diagnosis of autism in December.
Despite a deficit of 4-1 in the opening set, Draper remained calm, taking the confidence of his greatest firepower. In the service, it was a gap, with draper sending thunderbolts while Brooksby barely threatened the speed limit to a Californian motorway. But the home player has always made life clumsy with his agility on the field and consistency.
“Today, it was not my cleanest tennis,” said Draper. “But I know I have the opportunity to solve problems. And also, no matter how uncomfortable I feel uncomfortable, I will also feel uncomfortable. No perfect tennis, but just a good challenge all around. »»
