Dayana Yastremska and Zheng Qinwen both earned spots in their first Grand Slam singles semifinal, with Yastremska cruising to a straight-sets victory and Zheng shaking off a sluggish start.
Yastremska, the 93rd-ranked Ukrainian who had to qualify for the main draw, wrapped up a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova in 78 minutes. She is only the second qualifier to reach the women’s singles semis at the Australian Open in the Open era, after 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.”
Noskova beat top-ranked Iga Swiatek on her way to the quarterfinals and struck first against Yastremska, breaking for a 2-1 lead in the first set.
But Yastremska broke back immediately, and from that moment on, Noskova was always playing catch-up. The Ukrainian broke again to lead 5-2 and served out for the set. One break, in the seventh game of the second, was enough to seal victory.
“I was a little bit nervous, but at the same time tired. I think I was a little bit too emotional,” Yastremska said. “Before my match, I got angry at the practice [with] my coach. But that’s fine, because I could put my emotions away. Yeah, another step is done.”
After dropping…
