WUHAN, Oct. 18 -- Sonay Kartal was a set and a break up in the Wuhan Open final, one title away from joining Johanna Konta as the only British winners at WTA 1000 level. Then Maja Chwalinska changed the match, and Kartal lost it 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday.

Chwalinska, the French Open finalist, took the biggest title of her career, Sky Sports reported. Kartal was ranked 170th before the tournament after six months out with a back injury. Her run will return her to the top 50 and make her British No 1 on Monday.

She began as if the week had been a rehearsal. Kartal broke early, led 2-0 and then 4-1, and took the first set in 45 minutes by overpowering the Pole, Sky Sports said. She broke early again in the second set, and then Chwalinska rai...