Tennis | WTA Abu Dhabi 2026 | Sonay Kartal comes off an early exit in Melbourne and faces Cristina Bucsa in her opener
By Ros Satar
- Sonay Kartal [Q] v Cristina Bucsa
- H2H: First Meeting
ABU DHABI, UAE – Sonay Kartal earns her spot in the main draw through qualification to face Cristina Bucsa.
Sonay Kartal [Q] v Cristina Bucsa | H2H & Match Fundamentals
Sonay Kartal [Q] v Cristina Bucsa
H2H: First Meeting
WTA Abu Dhabi
UAE
Hard (O)
Prize Money: $13,005
First on ADCB Court 1 at 11am (7am GMT)
Sky/Now TV
Sonay Kartal returns to Abu Dhabi, and takes on former quarter-finalist Cristina Bucsa.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Hard Courts – 2026)
H2H:
Sonay Kartal (WR 66)
Cristina Bucsa (WR 52)
Tournament Previous Best
R1 (2025)
QF (2024)
1st Serve Return Points Won %
37.3
31.3
Return Points Won %
43.3
37.9
Break Point Conversion %
42.4
41.7
Break Points Saved %
46.7
18.2
Overall Service Points Won %
67.7
51.1
Kartal might well fancy her chances of another higher-ranked scalp, and certainly her performances this year are in her favour.
Playing Styles & Prediction
Kartal started with a strong performance in Auckland, reaching the quarter-final, but met her match against Anna Kalinskaya in the opening round of the Australian Open. She has worked her way through qualifying to reach the main draw.
Bucsa might be ranked higher than Kartal but her stats this year lag behind the Brit who has also had a couple of matches under her belt here in Abu Dhabi.
Kartal will try and mix things up but Bucsa can match her in terms of variety and general court smarts. Neither are power hitters but are equally strong in their ground-strokes, strategic awareness and temperament.
Prediction: Kartal in straight sets.
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