Sonay Kartal’s Australian open debut ends in a 6-1, 7-6 (5) loss after a rain delay

Sonay Kartal’s first appearance at the Australian Open ended in frustration as the British No. 3 fell to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in a rain-interrupted first-round match. Despite staging a spirited second-set fightback, Kartal ultimately lost 6-1, 7-6 (5), missing out on a potential showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

The 22-year-old entered Melbourne with high hopes but struggled to find her rhythm in a match marked by long delays. Bouzas Maneiro dominated the opening exchanges, winning nine of the first ten games as Kartal grappled with the Spaniard’s aggressive forehands and commanding play.

“I’m obviously disappointed with the result, pretty disappointed with the performance as well,” Kartal admitted post-match. “I was definitely far from what I expected myself to play and my expectations. But credit to her, she came out guns blazing in that first set. I wasn’t even getting a touch on a lot of her forehands.”

Kartal, known for her tenacity and ability to adapt mid-match, began clawing her way back in the second set. The Brighton-born player used her signature spin-heavy forehand and tactical play to counter Bouzas Maneiro’s relentless pressure. Aided by a slight dip in her opponent’s intensity, Kartal managed to break serve and push the set to a tie-break.

However, despite the momentum shift, Bouzas Maneiro held her nerve when it mattered most. The 21-year-old ranked just inside the top 100, utilised her consistent groundstrokes and sharp angles to edge out Kartal in the tie-break, securing her place in the second round.

“It was tricky. She, in some aspects, plays very similar to me,” Kartal reflected. “Spinny forehand gets good whip off the ball, likes to dictate with the forehand as well. So it was tough, kind of playing someone like myself.”

The loss means Kartal will need to wait longer for her first Grand Slam main-draw win. Her strong performances in the qualifying rounds and on the ITF circuit last season have shown her potential, but this defeat highlighted the challenges of stepping up on tennis’s biggest stages.

Bouzas Maneiro, meanwhile, progresses to face world No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, a daunting task for the young Spaniard. For Kartal, the focus now shifts to building on her experience and refining her game for the rest of the season.

Despite the setback, Kartal’s debut offered moments of promise. Her resilience in the second set and ability to mount a fightback after a difficult start could bode well for the future. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as she continues her journey on the WTA Tour.