Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska has become the first qualifier to reach the Australian Open semi-finals in 46 years, storming past Czech Linda Noskova on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
World No.93 Yastremska proved too classy for Noskova, the rising teenager who memorably eliminated four-time major winner Iga Swiatek in the third round.
Dayana Yastremska savours her victory.Credit: Eddie Jim
Yastremska’s surge through the women’s draw raises the question: will the Australian Open have its equivalent story to Emma Raducanu, the Brit who came through qualifying to win the 2021 US Open.
In Raducanu’s case, she was aged 18 three years ago and didn’t drop a set.
But an Australian Open victory for Yastremska, a more seasoned player with three titles and a career-high ranking of 21, would still prove remarkable.
Yastremska was impressive in eliminating world No.50 Noskova, winning 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 18 minutes to open the centre court action on a stunning summer day in Melbourne.
The last qualifier to go this deep at the Australian Open was Christine Dorey in 1978.
“It’s nice to make history,” she said on court. “[Because] that’s before I was born.”
Russian player Anna Kalinskaya and Chinese 12th seed Qinwen Zheng will battle in the other women’s quarter-final on Wednesday – in the night session on centre court.
Yastremska will play the winner of that match on Thursday.
In the other half of the draw, top players American Coco Gauff and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka meet in a blockbuster semi, also to be played on Thursday.
More to come
