Sonay Kartal vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

WTA Wimbledon: Sonay Kartal vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

🧠 Form & Context

Sonay Kartal
🏡 Home favorite rising: Brit sensation reaching her first Slam fourth round on home soil.
🎯 Statement wins: Knocked out Ostapenko in R1, then cruised past Tomova and Parry.
⛓️ Patchy form pre-Wimbledon: Hadn’t won back-to-back matches since Indian Wells but looks revived at SW19.
🌱 Grass comfort: Reached R3 as a qualifier last year and building further as a main-draw entrant.
🏆 WTA breakthrough: Won Monastir title in 2024—her only main-draw quarterfinal appearance until now. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
🎭 Drama-filled campaign: Needed three sets to beat both Osaka and Tomljanovic after opening with a solid win.
🏆 Slam credentials: RG 2021 finalist, Wimbledon QF in 2016—brings a wealth of major experience.
📈 On the rise again: AO quarterfinalist and Eastbourne semifinalist this year—best season since injury layoff.
🧱 Grass revival: 6 grass wins in 2025—her best yearly haul to date.
⚠️ Veteran campaigner: 16th Wimbledon main draw appearance, only second time reaching second week.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Kartal is flying the British flag loud and proud, riding a surge of crowd energy and home-court confidence. Her timing from the baseline has clicked, and she’s finding controlled aggression in rallies. But against Pavlyuchenkova, she’ll face a master at disrupting rhythm. The Russian veteran has looked physically vulnerable at times, yet tactically sharp and mentally steely. Her ability to reset points, hold serve under pressure, and strike clean winners from defensive positions makes her a dangerous opponent on grass. Kartal’s movement and control will be key, especially in redirecting Pavlyuchenkova’s pace and avoiding prolonged rallies where the Russian’s anticipation excels. If Kartal lands a high first-serve percentage and keeps her unforced errors down, she can press for a win. But with experience, clutch play, and momentum behind her, Pavlyuchenkova could once again escape with the win—even if it’s messy.

🔮 Prediction

This one feels destined for a deciding set. Kartal has the game to win, but Pavlyuchenkova’s big-match know-how and ability to manage nerves in the crunch could tilt it her way. 🧩 Prediction: Kartal in 3. Not easy game.

📊 Tale of the Tape

• H2H: First meeting
• WTA Ranking: Kartal No. 50 | Pavlyuchenkova No. 51
• Wimbledon 2025: Kartal - def. Ostapenko, Tomova, Parry | Pavlyuchenkova - def. Osaka, Tomljanovic, Kawa
• Grass W/L 2025: Kartal 6–1 | Pavlyuchenkova 6–2
• Career Best Slam Result: Kartal - Wimbledon R4 | Pavlyuchenkova - Roland-Garros Final (2021)
• Age: Kartal 22 | Pavlyuchenkova 33