Ukrainian Dajana Jastremska became the first qualifier in 46 years to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open. The 23-year-old won against 19-year-old Czech Linda Noskova 6:3, 6:4 in Melbourne on Wednesday and is now in the semi-finals of one of the four Grand Slam tournaments for the first time.
The tennis player dedicated her surprising victory to her compatriots who had been hit by the Russian war of aggression. “I am proud of our fighters in Ukraine,” Yastremska wrote on the television camera lens after the game. In tennis it is customary for the winners to write messages on the cameras after the game.
“They really deserve our respect. I always try to write something about Ukraine,” Yastremska said. “I think that’s my mission here. I just want to send a signal to the people of Ukraine that I am really proud of our country.”
Other Ukrainian players such as Marta Kostjuk and Elina Svitolina also used their successes in Melbourne to point out the still difficult situation at home. “The war is still going on. People are still dying,” Kostyuk said, for example.
Jastremska converted her first match point against Noskova in the Rod Laver Arena after 1:19 hours and thus completed the greatest success of her career to date. “It’s nice to make history. In 1978 I wasn’t even born yet,” Jastremska said.
David Lindenfeld, Melbourne Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3
In the semi-finals this Thursday, Jastremska will face either the Russian Anna Kalinskaja or Zheng Qinwen from China. The other semi-final will be contested by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus and US Open champion Coco Gauff from the USA (9.30 a.m. CET/Eurosport).
