Sonay Kartal's incredible run at the China Open won't bear any further fruit with the Brit being eased past by Linda Noskova on Friday morning.
Kartal earned the biggest win of her career so far defeating Mirra Andreeva in the previous round but couldn't keep it going in the China Open Quarter-Finals. The Czech ace provided a routine 6-3, 6-4 win to reach the semi-finals in Beijing with another Quarter-Final to come later today featuring Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula.
Kartal saw off Alycia Parks with ease in her opener before she then bagelled 14th seed Daria Kasatkina in the second round. Maya Joint was the next Aussie to be knocked off with the rising star well beaten before Andreeva was defeated 7-5, 2-6, 7-5. She would've liked her chances then against Noskova who only reached one WTA 1000 Quarter-Final prior albeit she has always been a bit of a tricky customer so it wasn't a given as it soon turned out.
Kartal levelled early making it 3-3 but Noskova reeled off three in a row to take the opener 6-3 as Kartal struggled to make in roads on her serve and was well beaten in the end in the first foray.
Kartal upped her level in the second breaking immediately but Noskova was in no mood to be giving out free opportunities as Noskova continued to grind out break chances and wore Kartal down making it 3-3.
The pressure then mounted on Kartal to even stay in the contest as she served down 4-5 and erratically was broken to love. Noskova got the job done with a forehand winner and is now into her first semi-final. She finished with 30 winners compared to 15 from Kartal. Domination from her while Kartal's superb week and a reviver after a poor middle part to the year post Wimbledon is over but she will take much solace from a return towards her best.
“The match, there was lots of ups and downs, definitely because of all the break points, I would say. So definitely, me breaking back in the second set was the main goal for me," said Noskova.
“I would say it’s a successful tournament already. It’s always tough to find your rhythm and a lot of motivation at the end of the year but I’m just enjoying my time on court and I think that’s the main thing right now,” Noskova added.
“I might take a look [at Pegula vs Navarro]. But it doesn’t really matter for me, I always try to focus on myself when I step on court.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
