Dayana Yastremska refused to shake hands with her opponent Eugenie Bouchard after their match in the 2nd round of qualifying for the US Open.

Former world No. 21 Yastremska prevailed over Bouchard in the 2nd round of qualifying as she moved one step further toward to making the last Grand Slam of the year. The Ukrainian player dominated the first set, winning it 6-1. However, Bouchard fought back hard to secure the second set 6-4.

Nevertheless, Yastremska ultimately emerged victorious, winning the match 6-1, 4-6. 6-4. However, the 23-year-old then refused to shake hands with her Canadian opponent, suggesting that she hasn't forgotten the doping comment controversy that went on between the two players a few months ago.

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Bouchard called Yastremska a 'doper'

Four months ago at the Madrid Open, Bouchard defeated Yastremska in the opening round 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-2. This was the 29-year-old's first main draw victory at the event since 2017 when she defeated Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova on the way to the quarter-finals.  

It is important to point out that this was only a year after Sharapova was suspended for taking the banned substance Meldonium. Meanwhile, Yastremska tested positive for Mesterolone in November 2020 and was originally given a doping ban before being cleared six months later when it was found that she bore 'no fault or negligence for the violation.'

However, following Bouchard's win against Yastremska in Madrid, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist tweeted "There's something about playing dopers in Madrid."

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The post received huge backlash on social media, leading Bouchard to subsequently delete it and post an apology. She called her original tweet 'a lapse in judgement and unnecessary', adding that "Though I’ve always championed fair play, I didn’t have all my facts in order and certainly didn’t mean to cause harm."

Yastremska refuses to shake Bouchard's hand

However, following Yastremska's victory, it was clear that she had not yet forgiven or forgotten Bouchard's comments. The world No. 112 celebrated her victory before walking straight over to shake hands with the chair umpire. Ordinarily, players walk to the net to shake hands with each other first.  

However, Yastremska barely acknowledged her opponent, and they shook the chair umpire's hand separately before going back to their respective chairs.

Yastremska will now face Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third round of qualifying for the US Open. 

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Yastremska refuses to shake hands with Bouchard after their controversy in Madrid

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