Sonay Kartal opens up on line call drama in Australian Open defeat as Brit self-critical

Sonay Kartal missed the chance to take on Aryna Sabalenka after a debut defeat at the against “someone like myself”.

Thunder and heavy rain delayed the British No.3’s match until the early evening on Court 5. Bu it was all over in 84 minutes as world No.54 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro won 6-1 7-6 to set up a second round meeting with the two-time defending champion.

The Spaniard, who clubbed 23 winners, won the first set in only 30 minutes as she out-hit Kartal from the back of the court.

But the rollercoaster second set saw seven breaks of serve as the Brighton-based star fought back from 2-4 down. And after saving a first match point, the British No.3 missed a makeable volley at 5-5 in the tiebreak to give her a set point.

Kartal, who reached the third round last year, said: “Obviously disappointed with the result. And pretty disappointed with the performance as well.

“I was definitely far from how I expected myself to play and my expectations. But credit to her – she came out guns blazing in that first set. I wasn’t even getting a touch on a lot of her forehands.

“It was tricky, she in some aspects, plays very similar to me. She has a spinny forehand and she gets good whip off the ball. She likes to dictate with the forehand as well. So it was tough playing someone like myself. You don’t really come across it that much. She stood close to the baseline and was aggressive – that is 100% how I would like to play more.

“I had chances in the second set, just a couple points here and there. And I think that if I’d have got one or two extra points, I think I could have easily gone into a third set.”

The start of play was delayed till 6.40pm local time by water coming up through holes in the court. And both players stopped during the first point of the second game after hearing a call of out. “She served and I think we both thought it was out,” Kartal recalled. “I think it was from the court next door.”

Bouzas Maniero will now face Sabalenka who is bidding to complete a hat-trick of titles here.

The reigning US Open champion beat the 2017 New York champion Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 for her 15th consecutive win in the Rod Laver Arena.

“It was a tough match,” said the Belarusian. “I didn’t feel like I played my best but I am glad that I was able to close it out in straight sets. It feels like home being here.”