Melbourne: Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska cruised past unseeded Czech Linda Noskova on Wednesday to become just the second women’s qualifier in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
In searing conditions on Rod Laver Arena, the world number 93 broke three times to win 6-3, 6-4 in 78 minutes and set up a last-four clash against unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya or Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen.
Yastremska is the first women’s qualifier to reach the last four at the season-opening Grand Slam since Australia’s Christine Matison in 1978.
“It’s nice to make history because at that time I was not born, I’m 2000,” she said. “I’m super-happy, very tired.”
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YAStremska! ?@D_Yastremska books her place in the #AO2024 semifinals defeating Linda Noskova 6-3 6-4.
She’s the first qualifier to reach the #AusOpen final four since 1978!
Congratulations, Dayana ?@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/8c8PT8xBw4
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2024
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