As the day three of the premier slam of the year commences in the Melbourne Park, the elite tennis players on the planet head towards the third round of the Australian Open, a WTA tennis player born in the year 2002 also steps into the round of 32 of the Aussie Open. She is, Marta Olehivna Kostyuk from Ukraine who becomes the youngest tennis player in 20 years to make it to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Marta Olehivna Kostyuk from Ukraine makes it to the third round of the Australian Open

Despite, her physical injuries, the World Number 521, Kostyuk strived optimistically on the tennis courts of Melbourne and also battled for hours in her qualifiers. She overpowered the Chinese player Shuai Peng in the opening round of the tournament. Her naivety was imperceptible in the teenager’s tennis gameplay as she swiftly wrapped up the first set on the premier set point against the Chinese top-seed. Her groundstrokes were flawless on the court and made it difficult for Pengto break the teenage Ukrainian and also to hold on to her serve. The World Number 25, Peng lost to the budding Ukrainian tennis star in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Kostyuk had displayed some sensational tennis on the day one of the major tournament as she wrapped up the match on the first match point in just 57 minutes of time. With that win on the first day, the 15 years and 6 months old girl, turned out to be the youngest player to win a main draw match in Melbourne since the Swiss, Martina Hingis in the year 1996.

In the round of 64, Kostyuk met, the World Number 168 Australian, Olivia Rogowska, and the Ukrainian defeat her in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. Kostyuk’s intense returns and he powerful serves were making it strenuous for the Australian to overcome her. This win remarked her eleventh straight win in the Melbourne Park as last year she clinched the Australian Open girls’ title.

Kostyuk is managed by the triumphant tennis star, Ivan Ljubicic who is also taking care of Roger Federer. Her mother, Talina Beiko, is associated with tennis coaching and made her spend endless hours on the tennis courts.

The young tennis player will take on her compatriot, the World Number 4, Elina Svitolina in the third round of the 2018 Australian Open.

Tags: Australian Open, Australian Open 2018, Elina Svitolina, Grand Slam, Marta Olehivna Kostyuk, Melbourne, Ukraine