Ukrainian tennis star Dayana Yastremska is 'winning for her country' after escaping bombing
Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska has dedicated her latest win at the Lyon Open to her country.
The 21-year-old reached the quarter-finals of the WTA 250 event by defeating Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa 6-2 6-3.
Her victory came a week after Yastremska and her sister fled Ukraine following Russian bomb attacks on their home city of Odessa.
“I’m still very nervous because I really want to win the matches for my country,” Yastremska said.
“I’m very happy that I’m here, that I’m in a safe place with my sister, and I’m happy to do the thing that I love, playing tennis.
“Every point that I’m playing here, I’m enjoying a lot, and especially with the situation that we have now, I’m enjoying it like a thousand times more. This is another victory for me and another victory for my country.”
The former world number 21, who is currently ranked 140th, previously described how she was woken by bombs and was forced to flee her country.
"I was very nervous because I want to win the matches for my country. This tournament is very emotional for me. But I'm very happy with the win today."