Sonay Kartal loses Wuhan Open final to Maja Chwalinska

Kartal's defeat caps a breakthrough tournament after a six‑month back injury lay‑off.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 18:01:57 GMT

Briton Sonay Kartal was beaten 2-6 6-4 6-2 by Maja Chwalinska in the Wuhan Open final on Wednesday, according to both the Independent and the Guardian.

What happened

The match lasted two hours and 43 minutes. Kartal took the opening set 6-2, breaking Chwalinska nine times in the first 18 games. The Polish player rallied to claim the second set 6-4 and sealed the third 6-2, converting her third match point in the final game.

What the reports add

The Independent listed Kartal’s victories over world No 11 Iva Jovic, six‑time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, two‑time major finalist Jasmine Paolini, world No 6 Elina Svitolina and former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko on her way to the final.
The Guardian noted that Chwalinska’s win was her first WTA 1000 title and that she had reached the French Open final earlier in the season as a qualifier, moving her to the brink of the top 10.
Both outlets reported that Kartal will climb to world No 50 and become the British No 1, overtaking Katie Boulter.

What was said

"Patience and game intelligence" – the Guardian said of Kartal’s strengths, adding she “dealt with the challenge admirably.”

The Independent reported that Kartal “collapsed to the court in relief” after the match.

According to the Guardian, Kartal called the trainer at the end of the first set, was given a pill, and took it after saving three break points early in the second set.

The Guardian also described a delay when Chwalinska “broke a shoelace chasing a wide ball” early in the fifth game of the second set.

How it came about

Kartal entered Wuhan ranked No 170 after a six‑month lay‑off for a stress‑fracture in her back. Her run to the final made her the lowest‑ranked WTA 1000 finalist since the format began in 2009 and the second British woman to reach that stage after Johanna Konta, as detailed in Felo’s coverage of her semifinal win. The victory will move her to world No 50 and make her the British No 1, a ranking shift also noted by both outlets. Kartal’s only tour title prior to this was a small event in Tunisia in 2024.

Key facts

Sonay Kartal lost the Wuhan Open final 2-6 6-4 6-2 to Maja Chwalinska. (independent.co.uk)
Kartal was ranked No 170 entering the tournament and will rise to No 50 after the final. (theguardian.com)
The match lasted two hours and 43 minutes. (independent.co.uk)
Kartal defeated Iva Jovic, Iga Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Jasmine Paolini, Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko en route to the final. (independent.co.uk)
Chwalinska claimed her first WTA 1000 title. (theguardian.com)