Eva Lys has become one of the standout stories of the Australian Open's first week. The German player initially came to Melbourne for the qualifiers but entered the main draw at the last minute due to Anna Kalinskaya's withdrawal.
Lys had competed in the Melbourne qualifiers, securing wins over Hanne Vandewinkel and Arina Rodionova before losing in the final qualifying round to local player Destanee Aiava. Despite the setback, she stayed in Melbourne and has delivered an impressive performance at the Happy Slam, reaching the fourth round—her best Grand Slam result to date.
Lys’ fairytale run continues
The 23-year-old had only one Grand Slam win to her name before this tournament, which came at the 2023 US Open. Until now, all her main draw appearances had been in Grand Slams. However, with the points earned this week, she is likely to secure direct entries into future majors, especially if she maintains her current level of play.
Read also
Born in Ukraine and based in Hamburg since the age of two, Lys has defeated Kimberly Birrell (No. 101), Varvara Gracheva (No. 69), and Jaqueline Cristian (No. 82) en route to the tournament's second week. She has made history as the first lucky loser to reach the Australian Open Round of 16 in the Open Era.
Only five other players have achieved this feat at Grand Slam tournaments, most of them at the French Open: Hana Strachonova (Roland Garros 1980), Dana Gilbert (Roland Garros 1982), Nicole Muns-Jagerman (Roland Garros 1988), María José Gaidano (US Open 1993), and Elina Avanesyan (Roland Garros 2023).
Currently ranked World No. 123, Lys has accumulated $798,163 in career prize money. Just this week in Melbourne, she has already secured $420,000—more than half of her career total earnings. She is also set to break into the top 100 for the first time, reaching No. 92 in the live rankings.
Lys will face the biggest match of her career this Sunday against World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who has been dominant in Melbourne, most recently defeating Emma Raducanu. While Swiatek seeks her sixth Grand Slam title, Lys, with nothing to lose, aims to deliver another surprise at the Australian Open.
✨ lucky girl syndrome ✨#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/84m6l1NCft
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2025
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
