The world No. 170 quickly went a double-break down before fighting back to force a tiebreak against Ostapenko. She twice broke back when the Latvian served for the opening set, and saved a set point at 5-6.

The tiebreak was a nail-biter with constant twists and turns. Set points came and went for both women. Some on their own serve, some not. After 70 minutes, Kartal finally took it 11-9 when Ostapenko sent the ball wide.

And the second set followed a very similar pattern. From 1-3 down, Kartal levelled the score again at 4-4. She twice had to serve to stay in the set, and across the two games, she saved three set points. Again, Ostapenko couldn’t believe that she hadn’t won them. Again, they went to a tiebreak.

This time, the first eight points went with the server. But Ostapenko was the first to blink. She dumped the ball into the net, giving Kartal the lead, and the Brit quickly got herself to match point. The rollercoaster wasn’t over just yet – Ostapenko saved the first with a backhand winner across the court.

After beating Ostapenko for the second time in her career, Kartal said: “Wow, that was probably one of the toughest matches I’ve probably played. I knew exactly how she was going to play, and at times, she is unplayable and sometimes you have to ride that wave. Mentally, I think this is one of the best performances I’ve had in my career, very proud of that one.

“I was dreaming of playing this match when I was fully fit before the injury, so to be able to come out here in my third event and to achieve this regardless is a huge milestone. I’m going to recover and enjoy every second of it tomorrow.”