LYON, France – Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, 128th in the world, could not finish her crazy week at the Lyon tournament, where she lost in Sunday’s final to China’s Zhang Shuai (64th) in three sets 3-6, 6. – 3, 6-4.
“I played for myself and for my country. I was very emotional and I was very tired after difficult victories. I wish I had more freshness for the final. I did not play at my best but I gave what I could. “I draw a lot of energy from the support of the public,” Yastremska said, trying to hold back her tears at the awards ceremony, with the yellow and blue Ukrainian flags still on her shoulders.
Zhang Shuai (33), winner over Caroline Garcia in the semifinals (6-2, 7-5), proved to be a very consistent opponent and undoubtedly fresher physically and mentally.
He had significantly defeated the Russian Vitalia Diatchenko by abandoning (3-0 in the first set), on Friday in the quarterfinals. He lost only one set in the whole tournament.
However, the young 21-year-old Ukrainian, who received an invitation on February 22, two days before the start of the Russian army invasion of Ukraine, could believe it: she had won the first set and led 2-0 after 4-2 in the last before cracking, probably both from fatigue and emotionally.
“It was a difficult week, very emotional. Hard day too, very hard fight. “I fought for Ukraine and I thank the people for their mental state in the country where they play,” insisted the player, who ended her speech with a “Slava Ukraini” (“Glory to Ukraine”).
She also announced in a press conference that she would donate her donation, just over 14,500 euros, to a humanitarian institution in her country.
With her younger sister Ivanna (15), she had left her hometown of Odessa before leaving her parents on the border with Romania. And since their departure, she has not really heard from her.
It was from Bucharest that they joined France and Lyon where they arrived on 26 February.
Dayana Yastremska, former 21st in the world, before being expelled for doping and finally acquitted, had not played in the final since January 2020.
His career will allow him to climb the gates of the top-100 (101st) on Monday and also causes a real wave of sympathy around him.
So he received an invitation to play in the India Wells Tournament in the United States where he could no longer qualify.
According to her agenda, she should be able to play in Miami after the European tour.
