# Kartal beats Paolini to reach Wuhan quarter-finals

> Britain's Sonay Kartal defeats former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-0 in her impressive comeback from a six-month back injury.
- Title: Kartal beats Paolini to reach Wuhan quarter-finals · BBC Sport
- Summary: Britain's Sonay Kartal defeats former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-0 in her impressive comeback from a six-month back injury. Sonay Kartal beat…
- Keywords: sonay kartal, jasmine paolini, wuhan open, tennis, comeback, injury recovery, sports, Kartal, beats, Paolini, reach, Wuhan
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c85ynx5vwq35o
- Published: 2026-10-15T12:02:14.398+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sonay kartal, jasmine paolini, wuhan open, tennis, comeback, injury recovery, sports
## Kartal's dominant Wuhan victory
Britain's Sonay Kartal beat Italian fifteenth seed Jasmine Paolini six two, six zero to reach the Wuhan Open quarter-finals. Paolini reached the French Open and Wimbledon finals in two thousand twenty-four.
## Six months away from tennis
The twenty-four-year-old Kartal missed more than six months with a stress fracture in her back. She has won five of her seven matches since returning to action.
## Kartal's difficult recovery choice
Kartal was unable to brush her teeth without being in agony. Missing Wimbledon was particularly tough, especially given she reached the fourth round of her home Grand Slam in two thousand twenty-five.

> being in agony
## Unbeaten run at Wuhan
Kartal has not dropped a set in victories over Ukrainian world number forty-eight Anhelina Kalinina, two thousand twenty Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and Paolini.
## Svitolina awaits in quarter-finals
Kartal will face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals on Friday. She said she is growing in confidence with every match she is playing.

> growing in confidence with every match I'm playing
## Key takeaway

Sonay Kartal beat Jasmine Paolini six two, six zero at the Wuhan Open to reach the quarter-finals, continuing her strong return from a six-month back injury.