In an exciting start to the 2026 tennis season, Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter triumphed in their opening matches at the ASB Classic held in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday. Both players showcased their skills on the court, earning places in the second round alongside fellow British player Fran Jones.
Kartal, the third-ranked British player, faced a challenging first-round match against Janice Tjen, the sixth seed from Indonesia. In a gripping contest that spanned three sets, Kartal emerged victorious with scores of 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3. Meanwhile, Boulter, who entered the tournament as a wild-card and is currently ranked 112th globally, defeated Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva with a convincing score of 6-3, 6-3.
Kartal’s next adversary will be Ella Seidel, the German player who claimed an impressive victory over local wild-card Monique Barry, winning 6-2, 6-1.
Boulter, looking to revitalize her career after a year blighted by injuries and inconsistent performances, has teamed up with a seasoned coach, known for previously guiding Maria Sharapova. The American coach aims to help Boulter reclaim her form, having previously reached a career-high ranking of 23. In 2025, Boulter struggled, winning only three tour-level matches after Wimbledon and sustaining a significant injury at the end of the season.
Reflecting on her coaching changes, Boulter expressed her ambitions to return to her previous heights, stating, “I’ve been ranked as high as 23, and I know I can get back there. I don’t think my level has gone anywhere; I think the consistency needs to improve.” Currently, she stands as the third alternate for the upcoming Australian Open.
In a thrilling first-round match, fourth seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines battled back from a set down to secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Croatia’s Donna Vekic. Eala’s performance was well-supported by a passionate Filipino contingent in the crowd, and she acknowledged their encouragement in her post-match remarks. “If there’s one thing I learned in 2025, it’s that home is the people, and not the place,” she stated, symbolizing her gratitude with a heart gesture.
Eala, who also showcased her talent in the doubles by partnering with American Iva Jovic to take down the seasoned duo of Elina Svitolina and Venus Williams earlier, is now set to face another Croatian player, the 2005-born junior Grand Slam champion Petra Marcinko. Marcinko herself celebrated a hard-fought victory, coming from behind to defeat Colombia’s Camila Osorio, marking her first tour-level win since 2023.
The tournament began with varying fortunes for top players. Elina Svitolina, the top seed and a finalist in 2024, comfortably defeated Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 6-1, displaying remarkable form that included an impressive run of 15 consecutive points at one stage. In contrast, Venus Williams, the 2015 Auckland champion and a wildcard entrant, faced tough competition from fifth seed Magda Linette but fell short, losing 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 after a spirited effort.
As the tournament progresses, fans are eager to see how these players will perform in their upcoming matches and whether they can build upon their promising starts or recover from the early setbacks. The ASB Classic thus promises to be an exciting platform for rising stars and seasoned veterans alike as they compete to kick off the New Year with success.
