Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska has managed to make it to the final of the Lyon WTA Open on Saturday (March 5). A week ago, Yastremska narrowly escaped Russian attacks. A bomb attack started on her city of Odessa. The 21-year-old Yastremska had wrapped up Ukraine's flag for the final. She defeated Romania's second-ranked Sorana Christia 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-4.
The match between Yastremska and Christia lasted for two and a half hours. Yastremska went down on her knees after winning the match. She said in the post-bout press conference, "I am very strong inside. So I think I can deal with everything. I am Ukrainian and the Ukrainian people have become very strong. You're going to see it during the war now. From now on, every victory belongs to my country. It's not bigger than what's happening."
China's Zhang Shuai to take on the final: World number 140 Yastremska will face China's 64th-ranked Zhang Shuai on Sunday. Shuai defeated Caroline Garcia of France 6-2, 7-5 in the title semi-finals. This is going to be her first final since losing to Ashley Barty in Adelaide in 2020.
Woke up amid the bombings: Yasremska arrived in Lyon on Saturday. She has said that one day in Ukraine her sleep was disturbed in the midst of bomb blasts. Russia also attacked. It's very difficult for them to reach France. Yastremska and her family said 2 nights in an underground car parking lot in Odessa to avoid attacks. She had crossed the Danube River by boat to reach Romania with her sister.
Father and mother remained in Ukraine: After saying goodbye to Yastremska and her 15-year-old sister Ivanna, her father and mother remained in Ukraine. Yastremska said after the tense semi-final, "I also need to think about what I'm starting to feel right now. I can't really believe I've come into the final. Yastremska has won three WTA titles, but her last title came in May 2019 in Strasbourg.
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