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Teen Linda Noskova, Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska into AO quarters
Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports

Ukrainian No. 19 seed Elina Svitolina trailed 3-0 in the opening set and bowed out of the Australian Open with a back injury, pushing Czech teen Linda Noskova into the quarterfinals in upset-mad Melbourne.

"Today was not the way I've planned to win. I feel sorry for Elina and I hope she feels well very soon," said the 19-year-old Noskova, who embraced Svitolina at the net after a lengthy medical timeout signaled the end of their fourth-round meeting.

Noskova reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in six tries.

She'll oppose Urkainian 23-year-old qualifier Dayana Yastremska in an all-underdog quarterfinal. Yastremska beat two-time champion Victoria Azarenka 7-6(6), 6-4 only 30 minutes after Noskova's match went final.

"My heart is going to jump out of my body," Yastremska said post-match, her seventh consecutive victory since qualifying began.

Azarenka went ahead 3-0 in the second set. Yastremska admitted she was feeling fatigued, but found another gear.

"My coaches were telling me 'play in 2 shots,' " Yastremska said.

"I'm like ‘how can I play in two shots?' Vika's running good. Then I just started: boom, boom, boom. I don't know how to explain it."

Noskova entered the field ranked 50th and already eliminated No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who called the big-serving Noskova "fearless."

She's the first teenager to beat a world No. 1 at the Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo in 1999.

Svitolina cruised into the matchup by blowing past Viktorija Golubic, 6-2, 6-3, in the round of 16.

Trailing 2-0 in the opening set, Svitolina unfurled a towel and laid face-down hoping her back would respond during a medical timeout. Her injury was evident during attempts to serve, writhing and grimacing without the usual pop from the racket.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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