Markéta Vondroušová has been eliminated from the Australian Open in a major upset, going down to qualifier Dayana Yastremska in straight sets on Monday.
The 24-year-old was rated among the leading chances at Melbourne Park, but will be packing her bags far earlier than anyone anticipated following a surprise 6-1, 6-2 defeat.
Last year’s Wimbledon champion had her shoulder heavily taped up for the match and was described as “meek” during the Nine broadcast by the commentators – but nobody could have expected such a poor display from the seventh seed.
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Yastremska was ranked 93rd in the WTA heading into the tournament, but produced arguably the biggest win of her career at John Cain Arena.
“I think that’s my personality … in life, I’m also pretty aggressive,” she said post-match during the Nine broadcast.
“I played like that since I was very small. I have a lot of mistakes as well – but when you play it’s aggressive, it’s fine.”
The 23-year-old had tributes to Ukraine on her racquet and gear, and was emotional during her post-match address regarding the situation in her home country.
She also paid tribute to those in Ukraine in emotional scenes post-match.
“I’m very proud of Ukraine, the people, the warriors,” Yastremska said.
“Just before my first match of the year, a rocket arrived on my grandma’s house. We need to remember about it and give as much support as possible.”
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Vondroušová won Wimbledon last year, defeating Ons Jabeur in the final to become the first unseeded ladies’ singles champion in the Open Era.
But her performances Down Under in recent years have betrayed her credentials as a major winner, with her career-best finish in Melbourne coming in the form of a semi-final loss in 2019.
She had withdrawn from the Adelaide International last week, citing a hip injury.
