March 7, 2020 was a day to remember for Ukrainian tennis fans as two young talents, Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska, scored impressive victories over Polish players at the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
Kostyuk, who is only 17 years old, showed remarkable composure and skill as she defeated Magda Linette, the world number 42, in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-5. This was a particularly satisfying win for Kostyuk as Linette had previously defeated her in their only previous meeting at the 2019 US Open.
«I’m really happy with my performance today,» Kostyuk said after the match. «I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I was able to stay focused and play my game. It feels great to get revenge for my loss at the US Open.»
Kostyuk, who is currently ranked 137th in the world, has been making a name for herself on the professional tour since she became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the Australian Open in 2018 at the age of 15. She has since reached the third round at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and is considered one of the most promising young players in the game.
Meanwhile, Yastremska, who is also 19 years old, continued her impressive form as she defeated Katarzyna Kawa, the world number 112, in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4. Yastremska, who is currently ranked 25th in the world, has had a strong start to the 2020 season, reaching the quarterfinals at the Adelaide International and the third round at the Australian Open.
«I’m really happy with the way I played today,» Yastremska said. «I’ve been working hard on my game and it’s great to see the results paying off. I’m excited for the rest of the tournament and I hope to continue playing well.»
Kostyuk and Yastremska are no strangers to success on the court. They have both won junior Grand Slam titles, with Kostyuk winning the Australian Open in 2017 and Yastremska winning the Wimbledon title in 2016. They have also both achieved career-high rankings in the top 25, with Yastremska reaching a career-high of 21 last year.
Their victories over Polish players at the Mexican Open not only showcase their individual talent, but also the strength of Ukrainian tennis. With the likes of Elina Svitolina and Kateryna Bondarenko also having success on the WTA tour, Ukraine is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.
The Mexican Open has been a happy hunting ground for Ukrainian players in recent years, with Lesia Tsurenko winning the title in 2018 and Svitolina reaching the final in 2019. Kostyuk and Yastremska will be hoping to follow in their footsteps and make a deep run in this year’s tournament.
Their victories over Polish players not only bring them one step closer to the title, but also highlight the growing rivalry between Ukraine and Poland in the world of tennis. This is a rivalry that is sure to produce many exciting and competitive matches in the years to come.
As we continue to see the rise of young talent on the WTA tour, it is clear that Kostyuk and Yastremska are two players to watch out for. Their impressive victories at the Mexican Open have once again proven that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level and they are sure to continue making headlines in the world of tennis.
