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Kartal previously said she thought she would not be able to take to the tennis court for the rest of this year after a serious health scare, but recovered to come through qualifying.
The Brighton-born player powered through the first set and led by a break in the second. However, Burel – ranked 253 places above Kartal – fought back to force a decider, her confidence rising as she unleashed some brilliant backhand passes.
Kartal composed herself and broke in the fifth game of the final set when a forehand clipped the net cord and landed on Burel’s side, with a volley sealing another break and the victory.
“Today is a really special day for me,” Kartal said. “Monday was a high but I’ve topped that today.”
