British tennis found both joy and heartbreak on Day Six at Wimbledon as Sonay Kartal surged into the fourth round for the first time in her career, Emma Raducanu bowed out after a brave battle against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, and Putney local Cameron Norrie showed class and composure to advance in straight sets.
Kartal’s 6–4, 6–2 victory over France’s Diane Parry on No.1 Court was as composed as it was impressive. The 23-year-old London-born player overcame an early 0–3 deficit, barely blinked, and then swept aside her opponent with relentless consistency and poise.
“I’m super disciplined. I’m super determined. When I set my mind to something, I want to achieve it,” Kartal said in an earlier interview—words that rang true across every point on Friday. Now based in Hove but raised in Sidcup, Kartal has long trained at the Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club and will next face Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the last 16—a career first.
Quiet resolve, loud result
Kartal, who was once passed over for LTA funding due to injury and inconsistency, is now making a name for herself as a calm but gritty competitor.
“When I was younger, I don’t think I really deserved the funding, to be honest with you,” she reflected earlier this week. “But it made me grow up fast. I learned how to hold myself accountable.”
That maturity was on full display against Parry. While most British eyes were fixed on Centre Court and Raducanu, Kartal’s unshowy, confident progress continues to capture the imagination—proof that rising quietly can still make a lot of noise.
Raducanu’s valiant exit
Centre Court saw one of the best matches of the tournament so far, as Emma Raducanu threw everything at Aryna Sabalenka—and almost pulled it off.
The 21-year-old Brit led by a break in both sets and had a point to serve for the opener at 5–4. But Sabalenka’s forceful, nerveless play ultimately proved decisive, as the world No.1 claimed a 7–6(6), 6–4 win in just under two hours.
“It’s hard to take a loss like this,” Raducanu said afterwards. “But she’s No.1 in the world and a great champion. I have to be proud of myself today.”
Sabalenka was equally gracious:
“Honestly, she played incredible tennis and pushed me really hard. The atmosphere… wow. I had goose bumps.”
It was a performance packed with promise—smart, creative tennis that forced Sabalenka to dig deep. The ovation as Raducanu left the court told the full story. This may have been the end of her 2025 Wimbledon run, but not of her momentum.
Norrie back in business
Cameron Norrie, the British No.1 and longtime Putney resident, continued his impressive return to form, dispatching Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 7–6(5), 6–4, 6–3 in just over two hours on No.1 Court.
Though the 22-year-old qualifier showed flashes of flair, Norrie’s experience, footwork and defensive skills proved too much. It was a clean, mature performance—the kind that’s come to define his game.
“I was hitting the ball really well… I just held my nerve and played well,” Norrie said afterwards. “The crowd on No.1 Court were amazing—it gives you so much energy.”
Norrie will now face Chilean 19th seed Nicolás Jarry in the fourth round on Monday. After an early exit last year, he’ll be looking to repeat his 2022 heroics when he reached the semi-finals.
Mixed fortunes in the doubles
The Day Six doubles action saw plenty of British names in play, with wins and losses across a busy afternoon on the outside courts.
Victories:
- Neal Skupski and partner Desirae Krawczyk progressed with a 6–1, 3–6, 6–3 win over Doumbia/Wu.
- Julian Cash and Emily Silva came through a tense mixed doubles battle, beating Arends/Schuurs 6–4, 3–6, 7–6(5).
- In men’s doubles, Henry Patten (with Harri Heliovaara) defeated fellow Brits Harris/Willis 7–6(6), 6–3.
Losses:
- Harri Patten and Olivia Nicholls were beaten 6–3, 6–4 by Molteni/Muhammad in mixed doubles.
- Jamie Murray and Emily Appleton fell to fellow Britons Lumsden/Stevenson 6–3, 6–4.
- Heather Watson and Julian Cash were swept aside 6–3, 6–0 by Italians Vavassori/Errani.
British presence remains strong
With Raducanu out but Kartal and Norrie through, British interest in the singles draw remains alive and well as Wimbledon enters its second week.
Add in a smattering of surviving doubles pairings, and there’s still plenty for home fans to cheer for—especially in SW15, where Putney’s own continues to lead the way.
Wimbledon Day 6: British Results
- Sonay Kartal def. Diane Parry (FRA) 6–4, 6–2 – reaches R4
- Emma Raducanu lost to Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 6–7(6), 4–6 – out in R3
- Cameron Norrie def. Mattia Bellucci (ITA) 7–6(5), 6–4, 6–3 – reaches R4
- Neal Skupski / Desirae Krawczyk def. Doumbia/Wu – Mixed Doubles R1
- Cash / Silva def. Arends/Schuurs – Mixed Doubles R1
- Patten / Heliovaara def. Harris / Willis – Men’s Doubles R2
Next up:
- Kartal vs Pavlyuchenkova – Women’s Singles Round of 16 (TBC)
- Norrie vs Jarry – Men’s Singles Round of 16, Monday
