Mika Stojsavljevic’s remarkable run at the Hong Kong Open came to an abrupt end on Thursday, as the 17-year-old British teenager was eliminated in the last 16. The Londoner, who had stunned the tennis world just 24 hours earlier, lost to Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez in a tight contest that lasted slightly over two hours. The final scoreline of 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 marked a significant step up in competition for Stojsavljevic, who now faces the challenge of maintaining consistency at this level.
British teen falls to Sonmez in last 16 despite historic Kenin upset
The previous day’s victory remains a defining moment in Stojsavljevic’s young career. Restored to the main draw as a lucky loser with only an hour’s notice, she dismantled former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin to secure her maiden WTA Tour win. That shock result instantly elevated her profile, transforming a qualifier’s dream into a global headline. However, the physical and mental toll of such a high-pressure environment was evident in her subsequent match against the world No 67 Sonmez, who controlled key points to advance to the quarter-finals.
Despite the early exit, the tournament has yielded substantial long-term benefits for the Brit. Stojsavljevic entered the event ranked 411th in the world but has surged into the top 350 in the live rankings following her victory over Kenin. This jump places her firmly inside the top 400, a critical threshold for securing future tour-level opportunities. As the Hong Kong Open continues through Sunday, Stojsavljevic will return to training with renewed momentum, having proven she can compete with—and defeat—elite champions on the biggest stages.
Source: Sky Sports
