Brighton hopeful looks to follow-up proudest day as she faces next Wimbledon test

Sonay Kartal will look to follow up here proudest day as she plays at Wimbledon today.

The Brighton-based 22-year-old had dropped to 298 in the world after a difficult 12 months due to health problems and had to qualify for this year’s Championships.

But a string of excellent displays at Roehampton last week booked her place in the main draw and the British No.9 backed it up with a superb 3-6 6-2 6-0 win over 29th seed Sorana Cirstea on Monday.

She faces Frenchwoman Clara Burel on court three today.

Kartal, who trains at Pavilion and Avenue and is coached by Julie Hobbs, said: “I felt good this year coming through qualifying.

“I think it really helped with my performance. It gave me extra confidence having played the matches not that long ago at all. I think that really played a part in the win.

“My greatest and definitely my proudest (day). I think getting a first win at any slam, and to have it at Wimbledon makes it extra special.

“To have the people around me that I’ve spent my whole life since I was six playing with, they were here to experience that with me, I think that made it extra special.”