Australia’s Daria Saville has continued to pay tribute to Ukraine during her impressive run at Indian Wells – beating world No.10 Ons Jabeur in three sets to reach the third round.
Born in Moscow, Saville has played the tournament so far adorned in the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine, as the conflict in eastern Europe continues.
It was Saville’s first win against a top-10 opponent in four years as she advanced to the third round.
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Given their respective rankings, it was a massive upset – Saville is currently ranked 409th in the world in singles and had to navigate her way through two rounds of qualifying to even reach the tournament proper.
She breezed past China’s Zhang Shuai in the first round, and will now play Belgian Elise Mertens in the third round.
In terms of athletes, the 27-year-old has been one of the most outspoken critics of the war, calling on all players to wear blue and yellow to support Ukraine in a recent tweet.
French veteran Alize Cornet followed suit, wearing a yellow visor and a blue wristband at the WTA 250 tournament in Lyon.
Saville represented Russia until 2015, before switching allegiances when she moved to Australia while dating her now-husband and fellow tennis pro, Luke Saville.
“It’s terrible, what’s happening over there, of course. It’s close to my heart, as well,” Luke told the Sydney Morning Herald during the recent Davis Cup tie.
“My mother-in-law and father-in-law are both over there in Moscow. Just speaking to [Daria] over the last few days, she’s just very worried. She’s concerned, and obviously that hits home with me.”