Dayana Yastremska overcame fatigue and previous failures against Victoria Azarenka to stun the Russian two-time champion, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4. The breakthrough win enabled the Ukrainian to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2024 Australian Open on Monday.
The world No. 93 felt like “running behind the train” after losing the last two matchups against Azarenka. But Yastremska found her confidence from her coaches to outlast the Russian 18th seed.
“I felt a little tired, and my coaches were telling me to play points in two shots,” the former world No. 21 said.
“You can see that I’m barely standing, but I’m trying to pretend I’m not tired,” Yastremska added.
The 23-year-old qualifier thus sustained her inspiring run that included beating Wimbledon champion and No.7 seed Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.
Yamstremska, whose previous best showing at a major was in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2019, now has a better shot. She now faces unseeded Czech Linda Noskova, world No.1 Iga Swiatek’s conqueror, in a wide-open half of the women’s draw.
Noskova advanced to the last eight after a bad back forced Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to retire while trailing 3-0 in the first set.
