Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal has been eliminated from qualifying for the Miami Open just one week after securing a place in the last 16 at Indian Wells. Kartal showcased her talent in California by defeating top-20 player Beatriz Haddad Maia and advanced to the fourth round, where she lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old fell short in Florida, losing a closely contested match 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 to American Taylor Townsend. Following her performance at Indian Wells, Kartal ascended to No. 63 in the world rankings, just three spots behind 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, who is set to face Japan’s Sayaka Ishii in her opening match in Miami.
In other qualifying news, Harriet Dart was also unable to secure a spot in the main draw, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Australia’s Kimberly Birrell. This outcome leaves Katie Boulter and Raducanu as Britain’s only representatives in the women’s singles at the main tournament running from March 18-30.
In men’s qualifying, British No. 3 Jacob Fearnley is on the brink of reaching the singles main draw after defeating Thijs Boogaard from the Netherlands with a score of 6-4, 6-3. He will face American Tristan Boyer next.
New Indian Wells champion Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie are competing in Miami, with Draper receiving a first-round bye before facing either Roberto Bautista Agut or Jakub Mensik in the last 64. Norrie will take on China’s Bu Yunchaokete, with the winner set to face 10th seed Alex de Minaur.
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