Dayana Yastremska, the Ukrainian qualifier, continues her historic journey at the Australian Open, becoming the first qualifier since 1978 to reach the semi-finals. Yastremska expressed her pride in Ukraine by dedicating her win to the country amidst the ongoing Russian invasion. She defeated Czech teenager Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 in just 78 minutes and will now face China’s Zheng Qinwen for a chance to compete in Saturday’s final.
Zheng, the 12th seed, secured her spot in the semi-finals by defeating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-1. Both Yastremska and Zheng will be making their first major semi-final appearances, with Zheng having reached the US Open quarter-finals last year.
Yastremska’s journey marks a historic moment as the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the Melbourne Park last four, following Christine Dorey in 1978. The Ukrainian player is now just two wins away from emulating Emma Raducanu, the only qualifier to win a major title with her 2021 US Open triumph.
Yastremska expressed her mission to showcase pride in Ukraine, stating, “I think it’s my mission here. I’m just trying to give the signal to Ukraine that I’m really proud of it.” She has faced challenges in her career, including a provisional ban for a failed doping test in January 2021, which was later lifted after an independent tribunal accepted contamination as the cause.
Zheng Qinwen, the first Chinese player to reach the Australian Open women’s singles semi-finals since Li Na’s 2014 title win, will move into the world’s top 10. Zheng, unaware of this achievement until mentioned in her post-match interview, sees it as good news and additional motivation.
Both players are poised for an exciting semi-final clash, adding more anticipation to their remarkable Australian Open campaigns.
