British tennis star Sonay Kartal makes a winning return to the WTA Tour in Beijing following a six-month injury layoff.
British tennis player Sonay Kartal secured a triumphant victory at the China Open in Beijing, marking her successful return to the WTA Tour after being sidelined for nearly six months due to a physical injury.
The 24-year-old athlete defeated Spain's Andrea Lazaro Garcia with a score of 6-2, 6-3 in the first round on Thursday, displaying a confident performance on the hard courts of the Chinese capital.
Kartal had previously suffered a lower back injury at Indian Wells back in March, according to information published by BBC.
Sonay Kartal Injury Comeback Journey
The world number 129 British player only recently returned to competitive tennis at the Billie Jean King Cup on September 22. During that initial comeback match, she narrowly lost to Czech world number 26 Marie Bouzkova.
However, Kartal quickly regained her winning momentum in Beijing by breaking her qualifier opponent's serve five times. Her performance was further aided by four double faults from Lazaro Garcia, while the Briton successfully landed 69 percent of her first serves.
Upcoming WTA Tour Fixtures in Beijing
Following her straight-sets victory against Lazaro Garcia, Sonay Kartal will now advance to the next round of the tournament. She is scheduled to face Chinese 31st seed Wang Xinyu as she continues to work her way back up the official world rankings.
Meanwhile, other British players also competed internationally, as fellow Briton Cameron Norrie lost to US Open champion Alexander Zverev at the same event, and Harriet Dart prepared for her upcoming matches.
ATP Tour Returns for Alcaraz and Rune
In the men's division, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz claimed a rusty victory over Alex Michelsen at the Japan Open in Tokyo. The Spanish world number three was sidelined for five months with a wrist injury before returning at the recent US Open.
Elsewhere in Tokyo, Denmark's Holger Rune suffered a defeat against France's Kyrian Jacquet. Rune was making his first ATP Tour appearance in almost a year after tearing his Achilles tendon in October 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Sonay Kartal beat on her WTA return?
Sonay Kartal defeated Spain's Andrea Lazaro Garcia 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the China Open in Beijing.
Why was Sonay Kartal away from the tennis tour?
Sonay Kartal was sidelined for nearly six months after suffering a lower back injury at Indian Wells in March.
Who is Sonay Kartal playing next in Beijing?
Sonay Kartal will face Chinese 31st seed Wang Xinyu in her next match at the China Open.
When did Sonay Kartal make her initial comeback?
Sonay Kartal made her initial return to competitive tennis at the Billie Jean King Cup on September 22.
