Strutting into the final 8 🚶♀️ A tremendous display from @D_Yastremska, delivering her best-ever result at a Grand Slam with a 7-6(6), 6-4 win over [18] Azarenka! #AusOpen
Yastremska serves up an Australian Open surprise, Azarenka the main course.
WTAMonday, 22 January 2024 at 04:35
Dayana
Yastremska once again surprises by eliminating Victoria Azarenka with a score
of 7-6(6), 6-4 in two hours and 10 minutes, securing her spot in the
quarterfinals of the 2024 Australian Open, her best performance in a Grand Slam
to date.
The
23-year-old Yastremska entered the match with nothing to lose, reaching the
fourth round of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career (the first being
in 2019 Wimbledon), this time coming from the qualifiers with a ranking of
world No. 93.
Undoubtedly,
the pressure was on the former world No. 1 Azarenka, who advanced by
eliminating the 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko, in addition to being a two-time
champion in Melbourne in 2012 and 2013.
In the
early stages, Yastremska faced some difficulties in her first service game but
managed to overcome it. After both players held their service games in the
fourth game, the first break came in favor of the Ukrainian, taking a 3-1 lead.
However, the Belarusian quickly took control of the match, winning the next
four games consecutively with two breaks.
With a 5-3
advantage, the former world No. 1 had the opportunity to serve for the set, but
she began to feel the pressure, and the score remained level at 5-5. Azarenka
secured a new break and had the chance to win the set with her service, but she
failed to capitalize on her two set points, and finally, Yastremska secured the
break on her fourth opportunity. The tie-break was closely contested, with
Azarenka gaining four mini-breaks and Yastremska securing five, ultimately
winning the set 7-6(6).
After a
toilet break requested by Azarenka, the game resumed after 7 minutes, and
Yastremska's level dropped physically after six consecutive matches in the
tournament, four of them in three sets and over 10 hours of time on court.
Azarenka regained control of the match and quickly took a 3-0 lead.
The
Ukrainian showed that her game is not just about power, using her good hands to
move Azarenka around the court. Yastremska won a total of five consecutive
games, capitalizing on Azarenka's errors. With the score at 5-3, Azarenka
defended her service for the last time, but she couldn't force a break, and
Yastremska ultimately secured the victory.
In the
quarterfinals, she will face another surprise of the tournament, the
19-year-old Linda Noskova, who advanced due to the retirement of Elina
Svitolina and defeated none other than the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the
previous round.
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I love to watch this always!
AceOfBase18-09-2024 - Great lineupAceOfBase18-09-2024
- Jelena also needed some attention probably.AceOfBase18-09-2024
- Rather stupid discussion. It keeps everybody really busy :-)AceOfBase18-09-2024
- Cavaday is the next sacrificial coach. Oh... and... "a very good person". [insert eye-roll]
mandoist18-09-2024
