Kartal

Age: 29 Ranking: 55 Strength: Forehand

British number two Katie Boulter, appearing in the BJK Cup for the seventh year, brings some much-needed experience to Anne Keothavong’s side.

She won her singles match against Germany in April’s qualifying event but lost in the singles against the Netherlands, before she and Jodie Burrage teamed up to win the decisive doubles match and clinch Britain’s finals place.

It has, however, been a mixed 2025 for Boulter.

She missed some tournaments early in the year with a foot injury before claiming a maiden clay title at a WTA 125 event in Paris.

A second-round defeat at the first women’s Queen’s event for 52 years was part of a difficult grass-court season, and Boulter relinquished her two-year reign as British number one to Raducanu as a result.

She achieved a fourth career win against a top-10 player – defeating Paula Badosa in the Wimbledon first round – but lost to lucky loser Solana Sierra in the next.

Boulter did not make it past the second round at any of the four Grand Slams, admitting at Wimbledon that her “moment might not come”.

But Boulter has often highlighted her love of competing for her country, with the BJK Cup bringing out the best in her.

That was in evidence against Japan on Thursday as she dropped just three games in a straight-set win over Moyuka Uchijima to secure Britain’s semi-final spot.

British pair Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter were knocked out in the US Open first round as conditions heated up in New York.

Kartal, who has been managing a knee niggle in recent months, suffered physically in a 6-3 1-6 6-1 defeat against Brazilian 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

A bizarre deciding set saw a struggling Kartal trail 3-0 before being handed a lifeline when Haddad Maia’s movement also became hampered – seemingly down to cramp.

Points became slow and laboured in testing conditions – but neither player refused to give in.

Haddad Maia lost serve for 3-1 as she could barely walk but recovered sufficiently, helped by the vocal support of a boisterous set of Brazilian fans, to serve out a remarkable victory.

Kartal, who was making her debut in the US Open main draw, also appeared to be struggling with the knee problem which she had strapped during her memorable run to the Wimbledon fourth round in July.

Boulter, 29, lost 6-4 6-4 to Ukrainian 27th seed Marta Kostyuk as she was unable to turn around her Grand Slam struggles.

The powerful baseliner, who has never reached the second week of a major, has been out of form this season and seemed to lack confidence against Kostyuk.

Saving five match points as she served at 5-3 illustrated how Boulter will not stop fighting and helped her create three break points in the 10th game.

However, Kostyuk recovered to serve out the match and move into the second round.