Kartal 'in dark place' as cramp leads to defeat

BODY LETS DOWN ‘HELPLESS’ SONAY

- Neil McLeman

SONAY KARTAL felt “helpless” and “in a dark place” after losing on her US Open debut due to cramping.

The British No.3 battled back to win the second set against No.18 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

But, bizarrely, the Brighton-based star felt cramping all over her body and fell 4-0 down in the decider.

The Brazilian then suffered cramp in her left hamstring and lost her next service game to love before recovering to win 6-3 1-6 6-1.

At one stage in the final set, both players were struggling to reach and hit the ball.

Kartal lost her last Grand Slam match after the electronic line calling failed on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.