Yastremska gives final winnings to Ukraine

Dayana Yastremska says she will donate her prize money to help support her homeland Ukraine after being beaten in the final of the Lyon Open by China's Shuai Zhang.

The 21-year-old Yastremska and her 15-year-old sister Ivanna spent two nights sheltering in an underground car park from missile strikes amid the war in Ukraine before being sent to safety in France by their parents.

Following Sunday's 3-6 6-3 6-4 loss to Zhang, Yastremska, draped in a Ukrainian flag, said on court: "The prize money I earned here I'm going to give to the Ukrainian foundation to support the Ukraine.

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"And if Ukrainian people are watching me, I want to say you guys are so strong, you have an amazing spirit.

"I try to fight for Ukraine. I want to say thanks to every single person from Ukraine for standing by the Ukraine and showing people that we have a really strong spirit."

China's Zhang, who won her third title, said: "Big congrats to Dayana and your team, working so hard. I know it is a big tough time for you but you are a fighter."

Yastremska credited the support she received from across the globe as a motivating factor for her success even though she couldn't produce a fairytale result by beating eighth seed Zhang.

The Chinese player hadn't lost a set all week, though she did falter as world No.128 Yastremska claimed the first set.

Yastremska was also twice two games ahead in the deciding set, at 2-0 and 4-2 up, but Zhang reeled off four straight games to take the trophy.