Lucky Loser Eva Lys continues dream Australian Open run: From late replacement to second week
Match Report
An eagerly awaited third round duel was on the cards as the up-and-coming German Eva Lys faced the combative Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Tennis fans were looking forward to a thrilling match in which both players wanted to surpass their previous performances in order to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Lys made perfect use of her chance as a lucky loser and reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old surprised everyone in the first round with a commanding 6:2, 6:2 victory over Kimberly Birrell, even though she only found out a few minutes before the start of the match that she would be competing. She then showed nerves of steel in a hard-fought three-set match against Varvara Gracheva, which she won 6:2, 3:6, 6:4.
With another win, Lys could have secured a place in the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time - a milestone she had been working towards since breaking into the top 130 in 2022.
Last season, the young German drew attention to herself with semi-final appearances in Budapest and Monastir as well as a quarter-final in Osaka. She was undoubtedly one of the country's most promising young players.
On the other hand, Jaqueline Cristian caused a sensation at the Australian Open despite a difficult start to the season with first round defeats in Auckland and Adelaide. The Romanian, ranked 82nd in the world at the time, fought her way through two energy-sapping matches in impressive style to reach the third round.
After trailing 1-3 in the third set, she prevailed against lucky loser and former top 14 player Petra Martic in a match tie-break. She then also came out on top against Lucia Bronzetti 7:5, 7:5. It was the first time in eleven tournaments that Cristian had won two matches in a row.
Special attention was paid to the direct comparison between the two players: Eva Lys led 3-0. Interestingly, the German had to come back from a set down in all previous encounters to emerge victorious in the end - most recently in Cluj-Napoca in October 2023 and in Dubai and Bari in 2024 (125k). This history showed that both players were prepared to give everything for victory and an intense duel was inevitable.
Set 1 - Jaqueline Cristian fires up the turbo right from the start!
Under the bright sun on Court No. 3, Eva Lys makes a strong start to the match. Both women mean business. Even in the first game, the breathing is accompanied by short shouts. Lys takes her service game with aplomb. 1:0 Lys.
Lys starts on Cristian's serve with a precise cross backhand. 0-15. The Romanian replies with a strong service, followed by a double fault. The German looks energetic from the start, but Jaqueline wins the next rally confidently and follows up with an ace, aimed at the German's body. Another ace brings the score to 1:1.
If you saw Swiatek against Raducanu, then you've already seen more action with Lys against the Romanian. A fantastic point from Cristian, who scores with an aggressive double smash. She is the more offensive player at the moment, while the length in the Hamburg player's shots, which she showed in the first two games, is temporarily diminishing. With her offensive pressure, Cristian earns two break points and immediately capitalizes on the first. Lys is broken and is 1:2 down.
Cristian tries to dominate Lys with her power, but the German defends bravely and goes on the offensive herself. The Romanian retrieves everything that comes her way and takes a 40:0 lead. Lys is by no means playing badly, but the pace seems to be a little too high for Eva. A well-placed forehand gives her 40:15, followed by an unforced error from Cristian. Some German fans cheer Lys on loudly, but she hits a simple backhand centrally into the net. 1:3 Cristian.
When Lys serves, her placed ball lands just off the line and the next shot is also an unforced error. Lys tries to keep up with the Romanian's fast pace, but that doesn't seem to be the best tactic. The Romanian plays as if she were Maria Sakkari at her best. A powerful rally then follows, which Lys wins with a strong long rally passage. But immediately afterwards she misses an incredibly easy point at the net. Poor Eva. A disappointed "Oooh" goes through the small stadium.
A bad ball from Cristian brings the game to deuce. The crowd is clearly on the German's side and cheers moderately when she gains an advantage. But Lys doesn't take her chance and gives Cristian an easy smash opportunity. It is the small details that cause Lys problems, even though she is playing very close to her best level. However, the Romanian is more powerful in every shot, which puts Lys under enormous pressure. However, this energy-intensive game could cost Cristian dearly later in the match.
A double fault from Lys gives Cristian a break point, which she takes immediately. The Romanian leads 4:1 and now has the opportunity to extend her lead on her own serve.
Eva Lys now also seems to have physical problems. Her shots often land too short, but just as you say that, a winning deep backhand is followed by a ball that is too long. 40:15, but Lys responds with a cross-court winner to make it 40:30. She brings the game to deuce with a brilliant backhand right down the line. Is this the turning point? A double fault from Cristian gives the German hope. Break point for Lys!
Get ready for the best point of the match! Cristian unintentionally hits a moon ball, whereupon Lys has to improvise four times at the net. In the end, she wins the point after four strong volleys. Score: Lys 2, Cristian 4!
As already mentioned, Cristian's turbo faltered due to overheating. She started the match too quickly. Lys suddenly wins her service game effortlessly. 3:4, and the match seems to have turned around.
Loud cheers from the Australian crowd for the construction of Lys' point win at 0:30 on Cristian's serve. A golden opportunity awaits at 0:40. Unfortunately, Lys hits the ball too wide - 15:30. The Romanian now fights out of sheer will, but can't prevent the German from earning two break points. A first strong serve saves Cristian - 30:40 for Lys. Can she get the break? The first serve lands in the net and the second bounces just behind the line after Lys' return. Lys has to run and pushes the ball, which falls just over the net, too far back. What bad luck.
These are crucial moments. Cristian gains the advantage, but Eva Lys responds with her devastating backhand down the line. This sudden change of direction seems to be her trademark - precise and perfectly executed. Lys controls the next point, but loses it against her opponent, who forces her into all corners of the court. An unfortunate forehand finally costs Eva Lys the game. She is now facing a deficit of 2:5.
Lys seems mentally absent for a moment and falls behind 0:30. She is probably still thinking about the missed opportunities in the last game. At 15:30, she clenches her fist in the air - a sign that she is fighting. A strong serve follows and she equalizes at 30:30. A too-long forehand from Jaqueline Cristian gives Lys the opportunity to serve for the match.
But an unforced error brings tension back into the match. Both players look tired, visibly marked by the intense heat of the Australian summer sun. Then Eva Lys shines again with her two-handed backhand. As elegant as Justine Henin's one-handed backhand years ago, Lys' precision with both hands on the racket is just as impressive. She reduces the score to 4:5.
Believe it or not, Court No. 3 has now seen it too: Again, the German hits a brilliant backhand longline, followed by another one perfectly into the corner! 0:30 becomes 0:40. Then 15:40 - Lys hesitates briefly and misses both break points. Ai ai ai. And no, Cristian gets another mental boost, garnished with a deuce. The next point also goes to Cristian without a fight. It's set point and Cristian takes it after a moon ball.
Eva Lys can hardly believe it and would love to eat her bat. She was so close, but in the end she misses the chance. Set 1 goes to the Romanian, who only hit 6 winners - compared to Eva Lys' 16. Set 1: Lys vs. Cristian 4-6.
You could say that Eva Lys has a lot to blame herself for losing the first set, but that's not entirely true. Without exaggerating, her opponent actually got lucky several times with balls that seemed lost but ended up just inside the court. However, Lys should have taken advantage of the 0:40. Her racket rightly landed on the ground in disappointment.
Set 2 - Eva Lys fights back with some brilliant backhand winners!
Lys reacts mentally to the loss of the first set. She confidently wins her service game with a clear win-15.
A hard-fought point from Jaqueline Cristian makes it 30:15 and her fighting spirit is definitely not lacking. Eva Lys seems a little more relaxed mentally, more flexible in her head. If the Romanian gives in, things could go quickly - but can the German manage to push her that far? Break point for Lys! But again she misses the chance with a weak backhand return out of bounds.Cristian's first serve shows increasing weaknesses, but Lys doesn't make use of her opportunities on the second serve either. Give Cristian a hand and she takes the whole arm. But then Lys shows her class: a precise backhand return brings her back to deuce. As soon as she takes a calmer and more considered approach to the points, she wins the rallies.
Another break point for Lys and Cristian hits her first ball into the net. Lys sends the ball into the corner, Cristian has no chance in defense, but makes two wrong decisions and plays risk-free into the middle. As soon as she gets going herself, she loses the point. No problem for Lys - after a winning forehand from the player from Hamburg, the next break point is already waiting. Lys makes it 4:6 2:0!
Lys serves for 3:0, but finds herself trailing 0:30. She then plays a strong forehand - when it gets rolling, chances open up. So far, however, she has hit far fewer winners with her forehand. 15:30. But no, she wants too much and concedes two break points. However, Cristian misses the backhand down the line! Second break point: a serve to the T-line, followed by a powerful backhand centrally into the court. Both break points fended off. Now it would be crucial to make it 3:0. But unfortunately Lys hits another forehand out of bounds. And then another one after that. Lys loses her serve. It's 2:1 for Lys in the second set.
Lys is also fighting now and cheers herself on after 15:30. Her opponent, who is three years older than her, still has chances on her serve. Lys laughs as two letballs on Cristian's second serve both fall into the court. But this time she takes the backhand return perfectly crosscourt and earns two break points again. The game lasts over five minutes and the Romanian looks increasingly exhausted. Finally, she makes a double fault! 3:1 for Lys, and the match seems to be turning in her favor.
Lys starts 15:0 at the net and immediately gets a slight error from Cristian on top. 30:0 and then 40:0. That shouldn't go wrong, should it? Lys' first serve also lands in the net, but the Romanian's legs can no longer follow her upper body and she hits the ball out of bounds again. Eva Lys visibly enjoys the moment during the side break. "She's buzzing," the Australians would say. 4:1 Lys.
Cristian is serving in her black outfit at 1:4 behind. Two strong serves bring some calm to her mind as the sun burns relentlessly. At 40:15, Jaqueline Cristian secures her service game. She leads 1:0 in the sets, but trails 2:4 in the second.
A difficult point after two more moonballs brings Eva Lys to 30:15. Here, too, the Romanian was lucky that a ball barely hit the line. Lys finally takes the game with an almost perfect ace. 5:2.
The Romanian is now visibly struggling in the blazing sun, while Lys plays full of energy and confidence. During a rally through the middle of the court, Lys catches Jaqueline Cristian on the wrong foot, but becomes too passive on the following point. Nevertheless, she leads 15:30 and the German even applauds a powerful crosscourt winner from the Romanian with her backhand - her own trademark. But watch out, suddenly it's 40:30 for Cristian. The match has already lasted 100 minutes. A double fault from Cristian brings the score to deuce. Again, Lys is only two points away from winning the set, but a weak forehand return goes wide. Cristian reduces the deficit to 5:3.
The young player from Hamburg starts with 15:0 after a strong rally. The fist is clenched - and then again after the next point. Cristian saves herself three times, but she has no chance on the fourth. 30:0, then 40:0. The coach looks pleased, and Eva Lys sweeps the crowd into her joy when she takes the first set point straight away. 6:3!
It's going really well for the German, who now allows herself a brief refreshment - just as her play in between was refreshing to watch. The atmosphere is great, everyone is enjoying it - apart from a few disappointed Romanian fans.
Set 3 - A technically refined Eva Lys keeps struggling Cristian at bay!
Lys fights her way to a break point and is 30:40 up in Jaqueline Cristian's first service game. Eva Lys is in the zone. You feel for the Romanian, who gives her all out of sheer willpower, but there seems to be no match for a resurgent Eva Lys. The score is 1:1 in the sets and 1:0 for Lys.
Eva Lys serves for 2:0. A long groan accompanies a long rally, which she loses. 0:15. But she quickly equalizes - 15:15 after an unforced error by her opponent. 30:15. 40:15. Two unsuccessful returns by the Romanian and Eva Lys takes a commanding 2:0 lead in the deciding set.
Can she make it through to the round of 16? It looks like it. If she stays focused, she could succeed.
15:15 after a strong point from Lys. Jaqueline Cristian responds decisively - 30:15. The few Romanian fans are now getting a little louder, while the neutral spectators have long been on the Germans' side. Cristian reduces the deficit to 2:1.
We're not quite in the decisive phase yet, but Eva Lys played a weaker game for the first time in a long time. Cristian needs moments like this to get back into the match mentally.
This service game from Eva Lys is important. She forces an error from her opponent and then strikes powerfully with her forehand - a real hammer at 30:0 and 40:0. She does this superbly and then Jaqueline Cristian hits another backhand down the line into the net. 3:1!
We are already in the 24th game of this match and Cristian serves again. At 15:0, a ball from the Romanian flies almost to the sun and... falls into the court. Lys has no choice but to take the pace out of this ball, but she takes the point anyway.
Jaqueline Cristian seems to be finding her second wind - that's the impression. Eva Lys has to make sure she doesn't lose the momentum. After an unforced error, the score is 40:15. The Romanian continues to fight with everything she has and shortens the gap to 3:2 in the third set.
Jaqueline Cristian moves across the pitch like a black panther. After the change of sides, she will certainly put the Germans' light, playful demeanor to the test.
And indeed, Lys immediately misses a ball, followed by a strong winner at the net from Cristian. 15:15. Finally, another good first serve from Eva - 30:15. And then this brilliant backhand along the line! Eva Lys doesn't give in. Two game points and the first one is enough. She screams herself hoarse with joy about the 4:2.
In the second set, Jaqueline Cristian's first-serve rate was just 29%. In the third set, it rose to an impressive 68%. Cristian leads 40:15 on her own serve and Eva Lys must not let up now. A clever, slow ball to Cristian's right side forces an error - deuce! But Lys' backhand along the line lands just out of bounds, no break point this time. Cristian stays in the game and it's 4:3 for Lys, who can now serve.
If Lys keeps a cool head now, she will sneak into the last sixteen. Now it's money time. A beautiful forehand winner - 15:0. A backhand from Jaqueline Cristian lands out of bounds and the German has a clear advantage - 30:0. Another backhand error from Cristian - 40:0. These three errors come just at the right time for Lys. A wild forehand brings Cristian back to 40:15, but her next return ends up in the net. "Let's go Eva!" resounds from the stands. 5:3 for Lys!
Lys takes the first point straight away! 0:15. Immediately afterwards, a backhand winner, and oh my God - even a forehand winner afterwards! Three match points, but she misses the first one carelessly at the net. Oh dear! First serve out of bounds! Now it has to happen - and it does! She kneels down, lowers her head and shows pure emotion. After a sporty handshake, she runs around the net.
Hugs and kisses follow in the players' box. Lys returns to the court and has the day of her life. The lucky loser moves into the last 16 of the Australian Open.
Final score: EVA LYS defeats Jaquelin Cristian 4:6, 6:3, 6:3
Congratulations, Eva Lys, and thank you to Jaqueline Cristian for a great match between two different styles of play. Eva Lys, the technically more refined player, triumphed over the raw power of the Romanian and will face Iga Swiatek in the round of 16.
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