Turkish tennis makes history: Zeynep Sönmez becomes first player from Türkiye to reach third round of a Grand Slam in Open Era

LONDON : Zeynep Sönmez has rewritten the record books at this year’s Wimbledon, becoming the first Turkish player—man or woman—of the Open Era to reach the third round of a major tournament. With a composed 7‑5, 7‑5 victory over China’s Wang Xinyu in the second round, the world No. 88 stamped her name in history .

At 23, on her debut at SW19, Sönmez battled back from a 4–1 first-set deficit, closing it out with resolve and maintaining her composure to seal the second set at 6–5. Her win followed a commanding first-round performance over Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian (7‑6 (3), 6‑3), marking her first-ever main‑draw victory in a Grand Slam .

This breakthrough interrupts a near 75-year drought for Turkish tennis in the third rounds of majors—previously only achieved in the pre-Open Era by Bahtiye Musluoğlu at Roland‑Garros in 1950 . In the Open Era, Çağla Büyükakçay and Marsel İlhan reached second rounds in three Slams each but never progressed further .

Sönmez, who lifted her first WTA title last November in Mérida, Mexico, where she became the second Turkish woman ever to win a main-tour event, earned a career-high ranking inside the Top 100 as a result . Her Wimbledon run now extends that momentum further.

“I didn’t even know [I was making history],” she admitted, in her trademark humility. “I dreamed of winning Wimbledon, so this is just the beginning.” The Turkish crowd inside Court 17 erupted in support—Sönmez paused to take selfies and thank them after the match . A fan named Hudai enthused, “We will support you to the end, Zeynep,” underscoring her instant national following .

Now, attention turns to the Sunday showdown, where Sönmez faces No. 18 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova—an imposing task, but one that Sönmez approaches undeterred. Her coach and mother back home watch keenly, hopeful this milestone will spark a new era of tennis in Turkey. “There were videos of kids watching me… I hope they feel, ‘Oh, we can do that too,’” Sönmez reflected .

As the grass courts of Wimbledon breathe fresh possibilities, this Turkish trailblazer is aiming even higher. Whether she conquers her next opponent or not, Zeynep Sönmez’s legacy has already been firmly etched into tennis history.