Marta Kostyuk entered the 2018 Australian Open as a relatively unknown player. But thanks to her impressive run, she has ensured that everyone will know her name come the end of this year’s competition.
The Ukrainian has won her way through to the third round of the Australian Open at just 15 years of age. The teenager has already drawn comparisons to tennis great, Martina Hingis, who achieved similar feats at a youthful age.
Marta Kostyuk Continues Her Record-Breaking Run
Kostyuk was ranked No.521 before the Australian Open started, meaning the rising star had to earn her way into the main draw through qualifying. And boy did she earn her spot. The young gun won all three matches in three sets. Kostyuk overcame the experienced Australian, Arina Rodionova, before moving on to defeat Daniela Seguel in the second round and 13th seed Barbora Krejcikova to book herself a spot in the main draw.
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Kostyuk was handed a tough draw in her first ever Grand Slam match, having to face Chinese No.1 and 25th seed Shuai Peng. However, the in-form teenager was up to the challenge, winning the match 6-2, 6-2 in just 57 minutes. Kostyuk’s incredible run continued as she faced Australian wildcard, Olivia Rogowska in the second round.
“I’m happy, just happy – I made it through,” said Kostyuk after her impressive 6-3, 7-5 win over Rogowska.
Perhaps Kostyuk’s success should not come as a massive surprise, considering the teenager won the Girls Singles at last year’s Australian Open aged just 14. However, playing in her maiden Grand Slam, nobody could have expected these results.
With this win, Kostyuk has become the youngest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Mirjana Lucic-Baroni’s run at the 1997 US Open. The 15-year-old will now face fellow Ukrainian and tournament favourite Elina Svitolina in what promises to be a memorable match.
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