Kartal gives Britain 1-0 lead over Japan in BJK Cup

Billie Jean King Cup 2025 - Great Britain v Japan

Dates: 18 September Venue: Shenzhen, China

Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer (UK only), plus live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

Sonay Kartal gave Great Britain the perfect start to their Billie Jean King Cup quarter-final against Japan with victory over Ena Shibahara.

Anne Keothavong's side are looking to win the women's team tournament for the first time, having lost in the final on four previous occasions.

Kartal, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time this summer, kept up her strong BJK Cup record with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) win over Shibahara.

World number 82 Kartal has won all three of her BJK Cup ties since making her debut earlier this year.

"Their [Japan's] whole team is super tough so I knew it was not going to be easy in the slightest," Kartal said.

"I tried to play my game when things got tough and stay aggressive. I backed myself all the way."

Katie Boulter, the nation's leading singles player in Shenzhen in the absence of Emma Raducanu, can secure Britain's place in the semi-finals with victory over Moyuka Uchijima later on Thursday.

Kartal was confident and in control from the outset against Shibahara, claiming back-to-back breaks on her way to racing into a 4-0 lead.

Shibahara looked nervous early on but shifted the momentum her way when she won eight points in a row to claw back to 4-3.

But with a break still behind her, Kartal halted Shibahara's run with a hold to love that unsettled her opponent once more. Mistakes crept in on the Japanese's service game, allowing Kartal to take advantage and clinch the opening set.

The second set was a far closer affair, and Kartal had to dig deep to fend off a break-point chance at 4-4.

Although she could not break the obstinate Shibahara's serve, Kartal dominated the tie-break, securing victory on her second match point.

The winner of the tie will face the United States, who earlier beat Kazakhstan 2-1.