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Sonmez Helps Fainting Ball Girl, Upsets Alexandrova at Australian Open

The 23-year-old qualifier from Turkiye reached the second round after a match played in punishing Melbourne heat.

Overview

  • She stopped play in the second set when a ball girl collapsed, placing the girl's arm over her shoulder and guiding her to a seat for treatment.
  • She defeated 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to open her campaign.
  • Tournament officials provided on-site medical care to the ball girl, with no additional condition update reported.
  • The victory made her the first woman from Turkiye to reach the second round of this year's Grand Slam in Melbourne.
  • Sonmez, ranked No. 112, drew strong support and left 1573 Arena wrapped in the Turkish flag, building on a 2025 season that included a Wimbledon third round.