The British tennis scene is witnessing a dramatic turn of events as Emma Raducanu’s rank as the country’s second-best female player is on the line. Raducanu, the 22-year-old tennis sensation, is expected to slide in the rankings following her defeat in the initial match at Indian Wells. Meanwhile, her long-time competitor, Sonay Kartal, is quickly closing the gap, thanks to her exceptional performance in the same Californian tournament.
Kartal, who presently ranks third in British women’s tennis, secured her spot at Indian Wells as a “lucky loser” after falling short in the final qualifying round. Yet, she managed to turn the tide, advancing to the last 16 after triumphing over Polina Kudermetova. The latest victory has placed her just 14 points shy of Raducanu in the live rankings.
Raducanu’s meteoric rise in the tennis world was marked by her grand victory at the 2021 US Open, a feat she achieved as a teenage qualifier. This victory not only made her the first British woman to win a Major title since 1977 but also propelled her to the top of the country’s female rankings. However, a series of unfortunate events, including three surgeries, resulted in Raducanu losing her top spot in 2023. Now, her second position is under threat by the rapidly advancing Kartal.
The 23-year-old Kartal, a former junior national tournament competitor of Raducanu, seems to be on a mission. She managed to secure a place in the Indian Wells draw as a lucky loser and is making the most of the opportunity. Kartal claimed a career-defining victory over world No. 17 Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round and followed it up by defeating Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-3.
Kartal’s consistent performance has provisionally raised her to No. 63 in the global rankings, while Raducanu is predicted to drop to around No. 60. Kartal’s total ranking points stand at 993 following her advancement to the fourth round, in comparison to Raducanu’s 1007. The gap could further narrow, or even flip, depending on other players’ performance.
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, including a round-of-16 match against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Kartal is showing no signs of slowing down. If she manages to progress to the quarter-final, her ranking points will rise to 1088, allowing her to officially surpass Raducanu.
On the other hand, Raducanu will have the opportunity to improve her points at the Miami Open next week. However, she will also be defending 108 points in Stuttgart in early April, where she reached the quarter-final last year. In contrast, Kartal, who had to take a break from the sport due to health issues, has no points to defend until April.
Kartal’s strategy might involve participating in lower-level tournaments and securing a few rounds, which could potentially help her overtake Raducanu to claim the title of Britain’s second-best female player. However, for now, her sights are set on her upcoming match against Sabalenka in the round of 16. The British tennis landscape is on the brink of a significant reshuffle, and the world is watching with bated breath.
