Ann Li vs Zeynep Sönmez — 7-5 1-6 6-4

Result

Zeynep Sönmez recovered from a slow start to beat No. 28 seed Ann Li 7–5 1–6 6–4 on Court 15 in 1h 51m and reach the second round. Li was the bigger hitter, striking 25 winners and eight aces, but also made 33 unforced errors and six double faults, and won only 40% of her second-serve points. Sönmez was far steadier, taking 62% of her second-serve points and holding on in a tight decider despite Li edging the total-points count 93 to 87.

Ann Li

Zeynep Sönmez

8Aces0

6Double faults2

58%1st serve in74%

73%1st-serve points won58%

40%2nd-serve points won62%

114 mphFastest serve107 mph

4/5Break points won4/12

25Winners13

33Unforced errors27

8/11Net points won8/10

93Total points won87

1303 mDistance run1499 m

Stats: Official wimbledon.com match statistics (IBM) · as of 2026-07-09

Rows the source hadn’t published are left off rather than guessed.

At this Stage

Ann Li has yet to solve Zeynep Sönmez, and a Wimbledon first round with a seeding to defend didn't change the pattern: the Turk beat the 28th seed 7-5 1-6 6-4, extending her perfect record across their meetings. Li won more points, 93 to 87, and hit the bigger shots — 25 winners, eight aces — but bled 33 unforced errors and won just 40 percent of her second-serve points against Sönmez's 62. In matches this close, the steadier second serve is usually the tell. Sönmez advanced to face qualifier Claire Liu in the second round, where the American's run proved to have another chapter in it.

Ann Li

Zeynep Sönmez✓

Jun 29–30

7-5 1-6 6-4

Claire Liu✓

Hanne Vandewinkel

Jun 29–30

4-6 6-3 6-4

Zeynep Sönmez

Claire Liu✓

Jul 1–2

7-5 6-3

Round of 128

Ann Li

Zeynep Sönmez✓

Jun 29–30

7-5 1-6 6-4

Claire Liu✓

Hanne Vandewinkel

Jun 29–30

4-6 6-3 6-4

Round of 64

Zeynep Sönmez

Claire Liu✓

Jul 1–2

7-5 6-3

What we know now

Tale of the tape

Ann LiZeynep Sönmez

25Age24

5′7″ (1.70 m)Height5′7″ (1.70 m)

—Weight—

Right-handed, two-handed backhandPlaysRight-handed, two-handed backhand

2018Turned pro2019

No. 29ATP rankingNo. 51

—2026 win–loss—

—Career on grass—

0Grand Slam titles0

Second round (2021)Best at WimbledonSecond round (2026)

—CoachIssam Jellali

Player vitals: ATP Tour player profiles and Wikipedia (career records) · as of 2026-07-09.

The briefing