Britain's Sonay Kartal secured the biggest victory of her career on March 8, 2025, advancing to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells by defeating Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 6-1.
This impressive win marks not only Kartal's first against a top 20 opponent but also her debut entry to the last 32 of a WTA 1,000 event, which is second only to the Grand Slams. The British number three, currently ranked world number 83, dominated the match, breaking Haddad Maia five times and delivering her performance within just one hour and nine minutes.
After her match, Kartal reflected on her experience, stating, "Being a lucky loser takes the pressure off and you could say it's a good position to be in. It's nice to have this second chance and almost like a free run at it." The opportunity arose when former US Open champion Sloane Stephens was forced to withdraw due to injury, paving the way for Kartal to enter the main draw as the highest-ranked alternate.
Prior to facing Haddad Maia, Kartal had already shown her resilience by overcoming American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko 7-6(6), 6-2. This victory was pivotal, enabling Kartal to find her rhythm on the newly revamped Indian Wells courts.
The match against Haddad Maia was significant for Kartal, who had feared the 2024 season might be cut short due to health challenges, spending considerable time "in and out of hospital." Refusing to be overwhelmed, Kartal made her return to competitive tennis and has since demonstrated remarkable growth, clinching her first tournament title at Monastir last October and breaking the top 100 for the first time.
With her decisive win over Haddad Maia, Kartal is set to rise to No. 70 in the WTA live rankings, and she aims to continue her upward momentum against 60th-ranked Polina Kudermetova for a chance to reach the last 16.
Four other British players also advanced to the third round. Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, and Cam Norrie all secured their spots with commendable performances, showcasing the strength of British tennis at this prestigious event.
Draper made quick work of rising star Joao Fonseca, winning 6-4, 6-0, propelling him confidently toward his next match against American Jenson Brooksby. Draper’s expertise displayed throughout the game allowed him to capitalize effectively against the younger player, neutralizing Fonseca’s aggressive play style.
Katie Boulter, who recently returned from injury, marked her return to form by battling back to defeat Irina-Camelia Begu 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-0. Boulter, who experienced challenges early on, demonstrated resilience as she regained her composure, securing her first-ever win at the Indian Wells tournament.
Cam Norrie, who is also known for having previously claimed victory at Indian Wells, showcased his tenacity by overcoming 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka after coming back from behind to win 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. He’s poised to continue his pursuit of success as he prepares to face Tommy Paul, the 10th seed, on March 9.
Sunday promises more exciting tennis as Boulter faces the formidable Elena Rybakina, who is currently ranked No. 7 and is also a former Wimbledon champion. Meanwhile, Norrie is eager to extend his Indian Wells run against Paul.
With Kartal's newfound confidence and momentum, all eyes will be on her upcoming match against Kudermetova. The young Brit's foray at Indian Wells has been characterized by resilience and determination, showing she’s ready to cement her place among the rising talent on the WTA Tour.
Sonay Kartal’s victory marks not just personal achievement but also symbolizes the promising future of British tennis as players collectively showcase their talent on one of the sport’s biggest stages.