Eva Lys’ Cinderella story at the 2025 Australian Open took another stunning turn as the world No. 128 came from behind to defeat Jaqueline Cristian 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and book her spot in the round of 16. The German became the first lucky loser to reach this stage at Melbourne Park since 1988, cementing her place in tournament history.
A fairytale comeback
Lys started slowly, losing her serve twice in the first set as Cristian took an early lead. But the 23-year-old German found her rhythm in the second set, breaking Cristian twice to level the match. In the deciding set, Lys carried her momentum forward, securing breaks in the first and ninth games to seal a historic victory.
“I don’t think I have any words to describe it yet,” Lys said earlier in the tournament. “I was panicking a little bit when I got the call to play, but now, I’m just enjoying every moment.”
Making history
By reaching the round of 16, Lys becomes the first lucky loser in 37 years to achieve this feat at the Australian Open. Her journey almost didn’t happen—she was on the verge of leaving Melbourne after narrowly losing in the qualifying rounds. But when Anna Kalinskaya withdrew from her opening match, Lys received a last-minute lifeline.
“I found out about it 10 minutes before the match, so I didn’t have time to get nervous,” Lys said, recalling the whirlwind start to her main draw campaign.
The ultimate test: Iga Swiatek
Lys’ next challenge is monumental: a fourth-round clash against five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, the tournament’s top seed. The pair last met in 2022, with Swiatek dominating 6-1, 6-1 in Stuttgart.
While Lys enters the match as the clear underdog, her fearless approach and newfound confidence have already carried her further than anyone expected.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge, but I’ll give it everything I have,” Lys said about facing Swiatek.
A dream realized
For Lys, this run represents not only a career milestone but also a testament to resilience and opportunity. What began with a rushed locker room change and no time to prepare has turned into a remarkable journey that has captivated fans.
As the 23-year-old prepares to face one of the game’s greatest players, one thing is certain: Lys’ story is already one of the standout narratives of this year’s Australian Open.