German lucky Eva Lys has become one of the standout stories at this year’s Australian Open. On Saturday, the world number 128 beat Jaqueline Cristian 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to secure her place in the fourth round, marking her first ever appearance in the second week of a Grand Slam.
Lys’ unexpected journey began after she lost in the final round of qualifying to Destanee Aiava last Wednesday. With no guarantee of entry, the 23-year-old decided to stay in Melbourne for a few days, hoping for a last-minute withdrawal.
Her patience paid off when Anna Kalinskaya withdrew on Monday, opening up a spot for Lys in the main draw. The German quickly rescheduled her flight, initially scheduled for Tuesday, for Sunday. Now, with her remarkable run extending into the second week of the tournament, she is moving her starting plans again.
“Changing flights has become a tradition,” says Lys
Speaking to the media after her win, Lys couldn’t help but laugh about her ever-changing travel plans:
“We actually changed the flight to tomorrow. Right now I think after the press conference we will try to change it a little further. It’s actually really funny. We just picked a date. We said, ‘Okay, Sunday is six days away. We’ll just choose Sunday.’ So yeah, it’s actually quite funny. I’m glad we have to change it now.”
The ultimate test: facing Iga Swiatek
-Lys’ fairytale journey faces its toughest test as she prepares to face five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the round of 16. While Swiatek enters as the heavy favorite, Lys welcomes the opportunity to compete against one of the best players in the world.
“I play tennis for these matches,” Lys said, reflecting on the challenge ahead. “You never know what will happen in the match. I’m just going to try to maintain my streak, try to keep my mind positive. I’m just going to go out and enjoy.”
A remarkable achievement
Regardless of the result against Swiatek, Lys’ journey has already been a defining moment in his career. Going from elimination in qualifying to securing three wins in the main draw, his perseverance and faith won the hearts of tennis fans across the world.
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