Sonay Kartal shocks Navarro at Indian Wells while Draper starts title defence in style

Guardian Sport

by PA Media

March 8, 2026

Kartal beats No 20 seed Emma Navarro 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 British men’s No 1 defeats Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 Jack Draper came from behind to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to start his title defence in Indian Wells, and his success was followed by a superb performance in the women’s event from Sonay Kartal, as the British No 2 twice broke back to stay in the match and beat the No 20 seed, Emma Navarro, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2). Kartal, the world No 54, raced through the first set but needed a medical time out and Navarro levelled the match in the second. The Briton was serving first in the final set but failed to put her opponent under much pressure and was broken in the ninth game by the American. The defiant Kartal broke back but could not hold her serve next up, meaning the world No 25 would serve for the match again at 6-5. Kartal refused to go down without a fight, saved a match point, broke back and then dropped just two points in the tie-break. Continue reading...

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 3/8/2026