– I think I have to take a thousand breaths because I think my heart will jump out of my body, said qualifier Jastremska after the match.
It is Jastremska’s first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Former world number one Azarenka has won the Australian Open twice, in 2012 and 2013.
When they gave thanks for the match afterwards, Jastremska raised her racket in a salute instead of the usual hug in front of the net. The Ukrainian made a political mark against her Belarusian opponent to draw attention to the war.
She is the first qualifier to defeat two Grand Slam champions in one Grand Slam tournament since Jelena Dokic did it at Wimbledon in 1999, when Dokic defeated Martina Hingis and Mary Pierce. The two are the only ones to accomplish that feat in tennis history since the pros were allowed in the 1968 “Open era.”
“It was like someone shot me in the back”
In the quarter-finals, Jastremska faces unseeded Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic, who is also through after Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina was forced to withdraw due to back pain. Svitolina was down 0-3 in the first set, in obvious pain.
– I had a cramp, like an intense pain. Couldn’t do anything, locked back completely, just very sad. It was as if someone shot me in the back, says Svitolina.
– Of course, this was not how I had planned to win today, says Noskova after the match and wishes Svitolina a speedy recovery.
Noskova knocked out world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round on Saturday.