The Jasmin Open Monastir (Tunisian Open) will see an unexpected final between Britain's Sonay Kartal and
Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova. Kartal, 22, advanced to her first WTA final after
Eva Lys retired due to injury.
The Brit
had already made waves at Wimbledon earlier this year, progressing through the
qualifiers and reaching the third round by defeating Sorana Cirstea (No. 31)
and Clara Burel (No. 45), before falling to the 2023 US Open champion Coco
Gauff.
Kartal entered Wimbledon ranked just No. 298 and has since climbed over
100 spots, breaking into the top 200 for the first time two months ago.
In Tunisia,
Kartal has also advanced from the qualifiers, winning six consecutive matches,
propelling her to a career-high ranking of No. 113. She will compete for her
first title this Sunday against Sramkova, who is also making her WTA final
debut after notable victories against 7th seed Lucia Bronzetti and 2nd seed
Clara Burel.
A win for
Kartal could see her break into the top 100 for the first time, joining Katie
Boulter (No. 35), Emma Raducanu (No. 72), and Harriet Dart (No. 70), giving the
UK four players in the WTA top 100.
The winner
between Kartal and Sramkova will claim a prize of $35,250 (£31,896) and 250
ranking points, which would secure their place among the world's top 100
players.
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.