Indian Wells, CA – Sonay Kartal advanced to the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday, defeating Lanlana Tararudee in straight sets. The match, played on Stadium 7, marked the first career meeting between the two players, with Kartal ultimately proving too strong for her opponent. The win sets up a challenging next round for Kartal against Keys.
Kartal demonstrated composure under pressure, a key factor in her victory. “I reckon I’m pretty calm and cool under pressure so I’m pretty good at blocking out the score and just concentrating on each point,” Kartal shared after the match, as reported by BBC Sport. She too expressed her enjoyment of the tournament environment, stating, “When you enjoy the environment and you enjoy the court, it shows in your tennis and I’m loving every day being here.”
Kartal Navigates Back Issue to Secure Victory
The match wasn’t without its challenges for Kartal, who required a medical timeout for a back injury. Despite the discomfort, she was able to continue and secure the win. “I’m not one to call the trainer at all, actually, so I felt like I needed it in at that moment,” Kartal explained. She intends to rest and recover, stating, “I’ll wait a few hours and see what the come down is but I’ll rest up and do everything I can to be ready for the next match.”
Andreeva, Swiatek and Rybakina Also Advance
Defending champion Mirra Andreeva had a dominant performance, sweeping past Solana Sierra 6-0, 6-0. Andreeva acknowledged the challenging conditions, noting, “The conditions were pretty tricky. The wind was changing directions every time. So I’m pretty happy with how I adjusted my game to these conditions.”
Former champions also enjoyed success on Thursday. Iga Swiatek, the 2022 and 2024 Indian Wells winner, defeated qualifier Kayla Day 6-0, 7-6 (7-2). Elena Rybakina, the 2023 champion and recent Australian Open titleholder, overcame Hailey Baptiste in a three-set battle, 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-2. Rybakina acknowledged the difficulty of the match, saying, “It was a really tough match today, but I’m super-happy with the win. She played really well. She was staying aggressive. She has a good serve. I had my opportunities, didn’t get them from the beginning and then I was struggling in the second set, was rushing a bit.”
Kartal’s Season and Career Highlights
Currently ranked No. 54, Kartal entered the BNP Paribas Open after competing in Dubai, where she lost in qualifying to Sasnovich on February 14th. Her overall record for 2026 stands at 9-5, with a 9-5 record on hard courts. Throughout her career, Kartal has amassed an overall record of 175-70, boasting a positive 75-26 record on hard surfaces. She previously reached the fourth round in Indian Wells in 2025.
The first-round match against Tararudee represented a new challenge for Kartal, as it was their first time competing against each other on the main tour. According to Tennis Tonic, Kartal was favored to win the match, with initial odds placing her at 1.31 compared to Tararudee’s 3.44.
The BNP Paribas Open continues with a packed schedule of matches, and Kartal will undoubtedly be focused on her recovery and preparation for her next encounter. The tournament, known for its challenging conditions and high level of competition, promises further exciting matchups as players vie for the title. Fans can find live scores and updates on SofaScore and Flashscore.
What comes next for Kartal will depend on her recovery from the back issue, but she has clearly demonstrated her determination to compete at the highest level. The Indian Wells tournament is a crucial stepping stone in the early season, and her performance here will undoubtedly shape her trajectory for the remainder of the year.
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