Australian Open 2025: Lucky loser Eva Lys storms into last 16 after win over Jaqueline Cristian

Tennis sensation Eva Lys defeated Jaqueline Cristian by 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, Saturday. The 23-year-old tennis star had an awful start as she suffered a crushing defeat in the opening set of the game.

However, she staged her comeback against the opponent and won the second set to level up the game. Lys continued her onslaught in the third set to head into the pre-quarters of the showpiece event. She now has a daunting task in the round of 16 as the Ukraine-born star is set to face world number two and top-seeded player Iga Swiatek.

Earlier, Eva Lys thwarted Varvara Gracheva in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open before heading to the third round. It's worth mentioning that Eva Lys has already lost the Australia Open qualifying round in the final game and failed to make it to the main draws.

However, she later got a call and made it into a game as a lucky loser. The young player started her campaign against Kimberly Birrell in the first round before defeating Gracheva and Cristain in the second and third rounds, respectively.

Lys d. Cristian 4-6 6-3 6-3

Before this week, Eva had only been past R1 of a Slam once

Today, she’s into week 2 of the Australian Open as a Lucky Loser

But there’s nothing lucky about how she’s playing

Hard work & the courage to seize her moment

✅1st Slam R16

Unreal

🇩🇪❤️ pic.twitter.com/c0JoX2na0y

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2025

Also Read: 'Big fan, I love it...' - WATCH: Novak Djokovic backs Danielle Collins after tense moment with fans at AO 2025

I don’t think I have any words to describe it yet: Eva Lys

After her stunning win, Eva Lys recalled the moment when she placed herself in the main draws of the 2025 Australian Open. The tennis sensation revealed that her flight was booked to go back to her nation, but she received a call ten minutes before the match, where she even didn't get much time to ponder upon her skillset. In addition, the 23-year-old is highly spoken about not even having the clothes to wear in the first Grand Slam of the year.

Eva Lys’ reaction after reaching the 2nd week of the Australian Open.

Literally on her knees with her head on the floor.

From Lucky Loser to her first ever Grand Slam Round of 16.

This is the story of the tournament, without a doubt.

Tennis. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/UDe8SQFV1O

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2025

“I don’t think I have any words to describe it yet. I found out about it 10 minutes before the match so I didn’t have time to get nervous. I was panicking a little bit because I didn’t really prepare my drinks. I didn’t have match clothes on so I went to the locker room, got changed straight away, and then they called my name,” Eva Lys said.

Also Read: Unseeded Alex Michelsen beats Karen Khachanov in third round