Former World No. 21 Dayana Yastremska has been awarded a main draw wild card into the BNP Paribas Open due to World No. 44 Naomi Osaka’s direct entry following Camila Giorgi’s retirement.
The 21-year-old has been living a rollercoaster of emotions, alongside her 15-year-old sister Ivanna - also a tennis player, as just a week ago, they were leaving their homeland, Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion.
Both were able to make it safely to Lyon, where they would compete at the Hologic WTA Tour event, the Open 6e Sens Metropole de Lyon.
Before starting their journey to France, Yastremska posted on her Instagram account a picture with her sister and wrote: “After spending two nights in the underground parking, my parents made a decision at any cost to send me, and my little sister out of Ukraine!”
“Mom, Dad, we love you very much; take care of yourself! I love you, my country!”
Early last week, already training in Lyon, she took to social media expressing: “It’s hard to be on the court when all thoughts about Ukraine and family.”
Little did she know at the time that despite all the struggles, the week in Lyon would unfold in such a rewarding way, putting a smile back on her face.
Yastremska, a three-time WTA titlist, advanced into the WTA Lyon Open singles final, the fifth final in her career, the first for her in over two years.
Currently ranked World No. 121, she met China’s Zhang Shuai on Sunday to play the championship match - which the wild card lost 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 after an hour and 46 minutes.
Shuai, 33, commented: “An incredible week, very high-quality match in the final. I saw [Yastremska] grow up over the last three or four years. She’s already won many tournaments; she plays so well, very powerful, so I was really focused on myself today. I’m really proud of winning.”
Despite a hard-fought loss to the eighth-seeded player and World No. 64, the Odessa native made a remarkable campaign throughout the tournament, overcoming each of her opponents on court and the overwhelming mixed emotions.
On Saturday, she battled to beat second seed Sorana Cirstea 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals, falling to her knees after two hours and 31 minutes, securing her place in the final.
“It was a really tough match,” she told WTA. “In the third set, when I had match points, and I lost that game, I was a bit crazy. I thought, ‘I’m done, I’ve lost, because I don’t have any more power. And then everybody was supporting me, and I felt like, you can do it.”
In her press conference, she further outlined: “I read a lot of news every day. Sometimes, during the night, I get messages from groups with the news, sometimes I wake up and read what’s going on, especially with my city. So, I wouldn’t say I sleep here really good. I wake up pretty tired in the morning.”
From day one, Yastremska’s journey was far from easy sailing. On Tuesday, she faced Romanian Ana Bogdan, a match that she would assess as “the hardest match of my life,” dedicating the victory to her country.
Coming from a set down, she raised her level, saving two match points in the process to fend off her adversary 3-6. 7-6(7), 7-6(7) in over three hours.
Then, she would power past Spaniard Cristina Bucsa and Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini in straight sets to move into the semifinals.
After the final on Sunday, she shared her thoughts through social media, stating: “My beloved Ukraine, I really wanted to win this one for you!
“I gave my absolute best throughout this week because that’s what Ukrainians do! Thank you for all the support I received in the Open 6e Sens Metropole de Lyon this week, it means the world to me. I am forever grateful!”
In women’s doubles, she teamed up with Ivanna, her sister, falling in the first round.
Next, Yastremska will join a stellar field in Indian Wells, a prestigious Masters 1000 event held in California, set to run from March 9-20.
The tournament will feature some of the best tennis players in the world, such as the likes of World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, Czech Barbora Krejcikova, World No.4 Karolina Pliskova, defending champion Paula Badosa and Osaka.