Sonay Kartal reaches Wuhan Open semi-finals

Britain's Sonay Kartal has stormed into the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open - a WTA 1000 event - in just her third tournament back from injury.

Defeats Elina Svitolina 6-2 2-6 6-4

Kartal continued her incredible form by defeating fifth seed Elina Svitolina 6-2 2-6 6-4.

Next opponent: Jelena Ostapenko

She will take on former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko on Saturday for a spot in Sunday's final.

Breaking new ground

She is the lowest-ranked player to reach the semi-finals in Wuhan after becoming the second British to reach a WTA-1000 semi-finals since 2009.

Kartal's recent return

After missing six months with a stress fracture in her back, Kartal returned last month at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Kartal's path to semi-finals

In Wuhan, she has swept past world No 48 Anhelina Kalinina, world No 12 Belinda Bencic, two-time Grand Slam singles finalist Jasmine Paolini, and now four-time major semi-finalist Svitolina.

Kartal's ranking jump

She missed three of this year's four Grand Slams, including Wimbledon, and is now ranked No 87 after becoming the lowest-ranked player to reach the semi-finals in Wuhan.

Pundit analysis

Pundit Naomi Broady said: 'I don't think Ostapenko is going to enjoy Kartal's game style with the amount of balls Sonay is going to put back into play.'

“I don't think Ostapenko is going to enjoy Kartal's game style with the amount of balls Sonay is going to put back into play.”

Kartal's confidence

She said: 'I'm breaking new ground this week.I've never reached a semis of a WTA 1000 and like I've said I absolutely love playing here and playing on these courts.The atmosphere was amazing today.'

“I'm breaking new ground this week. I've never reached a semis of a WTA 1000 and like I've said I absolutely love playing here and playing on these courts. The atmosphere was amazing today.”