Oleksandra Oliynykova claimed her maiden WTA main-draw victory at the Transylvania Open, battling past Mayar Sherif in a nearly three-hour epic. The Ukrainian came from behind in the deciding set, turning a 3-1 deficit into a 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4 triumph. Oliynykova credited her mindset shift amid personal challenges for the breakthrough.
Oleksandra Oliynykova's journey to the Transylvania Open was nearly derailed before it began. Living and training in Kyiv amid ongoing Russian attacks, the 24-year-old Ukrainian faced a widespread power outage just hours before her train to Cluj-Napoca departed. Stuck in a lift on the 20th floor of her building, she made it to the station with only 10 minutes to spare.
"When I was losing in the third set in some moments, I said to myself just to enjoy being here, because actually it's a big luck to compete in this tournament," Oliynykova said in her on-court interview. "I live and practice in Kyiv and because of Russian attacks, we have very big problems with electricity. Two hours before my train -- because I live on the 20th floor -- I'm entering the lift and electricity just turns off. In the end, I was just 10 minutes before my train left. So actually it's a big luck."
This resilience translated to the court during her first-round clash with Mayar Sherif on Sunday night. The match, lasting 2 hours and 54 minutes, featured lung-busting rallies and tactical brilliance. Sherif, known for her courtcraft, saved a set point to edge the first set via tiebreak with exquisite drop shots. Oliynykova responded with variety, employing high moonballs to push Sherif back before unleashing flat winners.
Trailing 3-1 in the third, Oliynykova slipped during rallies but stayed alive, winning five of the last six games. Her point construction, including a delicate sliced putaway reminiscent of Hsieh Su-Wei, proved decisive.
Oliynykova, who captivated audiences at the Australian Open two weeks prior with her positive demeanor and emotional tribute to her soldier father, advances to face No. 8 seed Anna Bondar. Bondar earlier escaped Ella Seidel 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-0.
This win marks a significant milestone for Oliynykova, highlighting her creativity and mental fortitude amid adversity.
