MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – We’ve arrived at the moment when the first major of the year, the Australian Open, turns from pretenders to contenders as the second week arrives and players look to make their moves. The drama has been sky-high, and the Yonex family has made as much noise as anyone across Melbourne Park.
Lucky Loser Eva Lys Just Keeps Winning
Ranked 128th, Eva Lys (GER) entered the Australian Open as a qualifier, looking to earn her way into the main draw. Though she lost in the final round of qualifying, she secured a spot in the main draw as a lucky loser when another player withdrew. And she’s turned that chance into a golden ticket.
After a straight-sets win in the first round, Lys battled through a close three-set match against Varvara Gracheva (FRA) in round two. With a spot in her first final 16 on the line, she overcame Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) in a thrilling two-hour, 25-minute match, securing a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 comeback victory.
This unexpected journey has made her this Australian Open’s true Cinderella story.
Having competed in five Grand Slam main draws prior, the German’s previous best was the second round at the 2023 US Open. Lys is excited by her unexpected progression: “Obviously I’m very, very happy to make it to second week. I feel like the second week was always such a dream for me.”
Reflecting on her career struggles, she said: “I was always struggling the closer I came to top 100, the closer I came to those big tournaments. At the end of the day, I know I have the level, but I was always putting too much pressure on myself.”
As a lucky loser, Lys has been able to embrace her role as the underdog, playing with less pressure and more freedom. And now, her next opponent? None other than the second seed and four-time Grand Slam champion, Iga Swiatek (POL). The ultimate challenge awaits.
Emma Navarro Keeps Thriving in Marathon Matches
Emma Navarro (USA) has risen from world No.31 a year ago to the eighth seed at the Australian Open this year, but it’s taken a lot of hard-fought wins, particularly ones in three sets. This AO has been no different, the South Carolina native notching a trio of deciding set triumphs to bring her record to 18-9 across three-set matches.
It was in the third round that Navarro faced two-time major finalist Ons Jabeur (TUN), with Navarro once again displaying her endurance in blazing conditions.
While Jabeur sought refuge in the shade between points, Navarro energetically raced across the court, countering Jabeur’s tricky all-court approach with supreme athleticism.
“I love tennis so much I can’t resist. I have to play three sets,” Navarro joked about her ability to survive long matches.
Last year, Navarro made her Australian Open main draw debut, reaching the third round as a relatively unknown player. Returning this year as a US Open semifinalist and world No. 8, she has already captured the Melbourne crowd’s attention with her flair and humor, advancing to her first fourth round in this tournament.
A Night of Upsets – Olga Danilovic Stuns Jessica Pegula
One of the most shocking results of the opening week came during the night session at Rod Laver Arena on Day 6. World No. 55 Olga Danilovic (SRB) pulled off a massive upset, defeating seventh seed Jessica Pegula (USA) 7-6(3), 6-1.
“She’s on top of the world. She’s such a great player. I knew I had to play my A, A, A, plus, plus, plus game to beat her,” Danilovic said post-match.
And that’s exactly what she delivered. Using her long reach to chase down Pegula’s shots, the Serbian struck 28 winners. Danilovic also fired serves clocking at 185 km/h, winning 76 percent of first serves points and staving off six break points.
An Emotional Showdown – Naomi Osaka vs. Belinda Bencic Ends Unexpectedly
In one of the most anticipated Yonex matchups, Naomi Osaka (JPN) faced Belinda Bencic (SUI) in a duel of peers who both recently became mothers.
However, the match ended on a somber note. After losing the first set 7-6, Osaka retired due to an abdominal injury. She left the court in tears but appeared at the press conference with a smile, vowing to bounce back.
“So unfortunately, [the injury] carried on from the beginning of this season, but hopefully I can get it together in time for the U.S. swing,” she said, expressing her hopes for the upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
Bencic, meanwhile, expressed her sympathy.
“Of course, it’s not the way you want to win the match, that’s for sure,” the Swiss said. “I really felt for her. I’ve been injured before, so I know how it feels,” said the 27-year-old, who returned to Grand Slam competition after giving birth last spring.
“I’m just really taking it match by match and being appreciative that I’m able to play against top players and kind of testing myself,” she added, having only returned to tour in October. Her new chapter as both a mother and a competitor has just begun.\
In the singles draws overall, eight Yonex players have reached the fourth round: two men and six women.
As the tournament enters its second week, the junior and wheelchair are also underway, with even more Yonex racquets set to dominate Melbourne Park.
Eva Lys (GER) | VCORE 100 / POLYTOUR PRO 125
Emma Navarro (USA) | VCORE 98 / POLYTOUR REV 125
Olga Danilovic (SRB) | EZONE 100 / POLYTOUR SPIN 125 / POLYTOUR PRO 125
Jessica Pegula (USA) | EZONE 98
Naomi Osaka (JPN) | EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 / POLYTOUR PRO 125
Belinda Bencic (SUI) | EZONE 100 / POLYTOUR PRO 125
