“It’s an insane story” – Eva Lys makes Australian Open history

In a tournament containing a litany of remarkable unfolding storylines, perhaps one of the more exceptional narratives weaving its way through the corridors of Melbourne Park is that of Eva Lys.

The young German was unaware that she had a place in this year’s Australian Open main draw until 10 minutes before her opening-round match against Kimberly Birrell.

Having reached the final round of qualifying before losing to Australia’s Destanee Aiava, Lys chose to remain in Melbourne until the end of the first-round matches on the off-chance that she may make it into the draw via another player’s withdrawal.

The current world No 128 was on site receiving treatment from the physio when news came through that Anna Kalinskaya was pulling out of the tournament just moments before she had been due on court. Having had her bags packed and a flight booked home, Lys suddenly found herself having to scramble together an on-court outfit in time to make it to her first-round match under her new status as a lucky loser.

From that point, the rest of the tale really writes itself. Not only was Lys able to make it to court in time, but she put in a high-quality performance to overwhelm her blindsided opponent and reach the second round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career.

Just under a week and a further two wins later, the 23-year-old – whose birthday fell on the opening day of the tournament – finds herself heading into the second week of the Australian Open where she will meet five-time major champion Iga Swiatek on one of Melbourne Park’s hallowed show courts.

eva lys makes australian open history

Kyiv-born Lys is Ukrainian and still has family members residing in the country throughout Russia’s ongoing invasion. She represents Germany having moved to Hamburg when she was two years old. But she may find both countries proudly claiming her as their own after making history at this year’s opening Grand Slam by becoming the first women’s singles lucky loser to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open in the Open era.

“I don’t know when the realisation will kick in,” Lys said after coming from a set down to win her third-round encounter with Jaqueline Cristian.

“It’s definitely an amazing situation to be in, especially knowing that I was a lucky loser. It’s an insane story, how fast it happened. Those days have totally changed my life.”

After winning her first-round match, Lys and her team rebooked her flight for this Sunday – six days after initially receiving entry into the tournament.

As it would transpire, Lys is now scheduled to be taking on the world No 2 in the fourth round on that day, so those flight plans will again have to be rethought.

“Right now, I think after the press conference, we’re going to go and try to change it a little bit further,” Lys explained.

“It’s actually really funny. We just picked a date. We’re like: ‘OK, Sunday’s six days away. We’re just going to pick Sunday.’ I’m glad we have to change it now.

“Obviously I’m very happy to be making it to second week. I feel like making the second week was always such a dream for me.”

While Swiatek will likely prove one step too far for the still relatively inexperienced young German, Lys has etched her name into the story of the 2025 Australian Open. To say that she has made the very most of her unexpected luck would be something of an understatement.

And who knows, perhaps another unexpected twist of fate could see Lys delaying her flights yet again.

Whatever the case, this wonderful young talent has already made her own slice of history and looks destined for much more success to take pride in across the course of her career.

In truth, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.

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