Sonay Kartal's Cincinnati Open debut ended in disappointment as she lost in three sets to veteran Caroline Garcia. The British number three, ranked 48th in the world, took the first set but could not maintain her momentum.
Garcia, playing her first match since May, secured a 5-7 6-4 6-3 victory in two hours and 36 minutes. Kartal had break-point opportunities in the second set but failed to convert, and created no break chances on Garcia's serve in the decider.
Kartal, who impressed with a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon in July, returned after a month away from the WTA Tour. She hit three aces in a tight first set, but Garcia fought back, exchanging breaks before holding her nerve to force a decider.
The 2022 WTA Finals champion produced a solid set on serve and capitalised on her only break to defeat Kartal ahead of this month's US Open.
