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London: Qualifier Sonai Kartal stunned the home crowd in the second round of Wimbledon on Wednesday by defeating Frenchman Clara Breuer, who is ranked 253 places above her, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
After her victory on a raucous Court 3, the 22-year-old will face another crowd favourite, second-seeded American Coco Gauff, in the third round.
“It’s going to be a tough match. It’s going to be an entertaining match and I hope I can make the British crowd proud,” Kartal said on the court after sealing the win with a volley.
Kartal, ranked 298th, defeated 29th-ranked Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the first round. She said she never thought about competing because of injuries she suffered at the beginning of the year.
“I had a great result on Monday and I took it to the next level today,” she said. “I’m really proud to be back and give it my all and get my biggest win since my comeback.”
Kartal led throughout the second set but gradually lost his advantage and Breer got back into the match.
The feisty, fight-back London lass said she tapped into the energy of the audience to revive her fortunes.
“I just tried to put it all behind me. The crowd helped me in the third set when I needed it the most. I want to thank you today,” she told the cheering crowd.
Gauff, who earlier defeated Romanian qualifier Anka Todoni 6-2 6-1, said: “Obviously it’s going to be tough against the British players, especially on grass. I think they always play really well, especially in this environment.”
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