Serena Williams overtakes Dayana Yastremska

"She said," Do not cry, you are still young … come, you do not have to cry, "said the Ukrainian.

"She said a few nice words when we met in the locker room. She said: "You are young, you are very good and you will be a good player in the future". It's nice to hear these words from a legend. If she thinks so, maybe it's true. What I'm trying to do is make people talk about me the same way, that I have something special. "

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While seven-time champion, Williams, ranks 16th, Yastremska, winner of Sam Stosur's first round, is a name to remember for future reference despite the one-sided nature of the result.

It was understandable if there was an element of dread of theater facing the clash of his idol. At the age of eight, she had encouraged Williams to win a title at the Australian Open ten years ago from her living room in Odessa, even simulating the American's strikes with her own racquet while she watched her on television. There were early double faults, a lot of nervous looks on his father and coach Olek, and a replay of call-back notes.

When Yastremska was released and became more comfortable with the decor, however, there were signs of what made her a much more talking star. She has real firepower, especially on the forehand, and could be back on such a scene in a short time if she manages to get her business in order and not to be impressed by it. # 39; occasion.

Amanda Anisimova of the United States, the last remaining teenager in the women's draw, will face Czech eighth seed, Petra Kvitova, recently out of the surprise of Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarussian who some experts had promised to win on Sunday. title here.

If the generational gap between Williams, Yastremska and Anisimova is huge, the larger of the two clearly did not forget where she came from.

After comforting the world number 57 on the court, Williams took her aside in the locker room to tell her that she had done well not to have committed any offense during the match.

"It's important that we all support each other," said Williams.

When asked if she had had the same emotional response as her rival after the match as a teenager, she replied: "Teen or adult?" Because both.

"You go out and you want to win. "I liked that, it showed that she was not only there to play the game, she was there to win, it really broke my heart.

"When I was young, I played against so many people like Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis and Monica Seles … all the people I met were in the celebrity hall. Every game was intimidating and not easy, but you go out and do your best. "