Dayana Yastremska downs Jelena Ostapenko to reach Birmingham last four

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Dayana Yastremska celebrates

Dayana Yastremska came out on top of a topsy-turvy clash to upset top seed Jelena Ostapenko and reach the quarter-finals of the Rothesay Classic Birmingham.

Ostapenko survived a major wobble in the first round against Rebecca Marino and led by a set and twice by a break in the deciding set against Yastremska, but it was the Ukrainian who ground out a 3-6 7-5 7-5 victory.

It is the first time Yastremska has reached the quarter-finals in a grass-court tournament on the WTA Tour.

Yastremska, who fled her home city of Odessa in February following the Russian invasion, said: “I was just fighting. We are very good friends. It was hard to play against her in both ways, in a personal way and as a tennis player.

Camila Giorgi made it through to the last eight
Camila Giorgi made it through to the last eight (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We’ve played doubles together and we had a lot of fun but I guess after today’s match we need to talk with each other. We are both crazy players. You don’t know what to expect from both of us. I think it was an interesting match.”

She received great backing from the Birmingham crowd and raised her hands in a heart gesture to the fans after winning through.

Yastremska was helped in her cause by 14 aces – although she also served nine double faults – while she saved five of the nine break points she faced.

Next up she will face either China’s Zhang Shuai or Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania.

Ostapenko meanwhile continues to display patchy form, despite repeatedly threatening to regain the impressive game she displayed in February and March. She is the kind of player who could be dangerous over the Wimbledon fortnight though and the big stage will no doubt inspire the feisty Latvian.

Also through to the last eight is third seed Camila Giorgi of Italy, who prevailed in another close clash to beat American Lauren Davis 3-6 7-5 6-2.

 

Dayana Yastremska

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