'You did amazing, don't cry!': Serena consoles tearful teenager Yastremska at Aus Open (VIDEO)
Fierce competitor Serena Williams showed her softer side when consoling a teary-eyed Dayana Yastremska after vanquishing the Ukrainian in straight sets in the Australian Open 2019 round of 32 at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.
Twenty-three-time Grand Slam champion Williams made short work of 18-year-old Yastremska, dropping just three games to win 6-2, 6-1 and cruise into the round of 16, but the nature of the defeat against her childhood "idol" in Melbourne reduced the youngster to tears upon the match's conclusion.
Also on rt.com ‘Is it a garbage bag?’ Serena Williams’ new playsuit sends social media into meltdownTitle-favorite Williams, who has been in devastating form at the season-opening Grand Slam, comforted the Odessa-born pro with encouragement, immediately approaching the world number 57, whose third-round showing is her best at a senior Grand Slam, at the end of the match after noticing she had become visibly upset, telling her “you did amazing, don’t cry”.
Sixteenth-seed Williams, whose seven title wins Down Under is an open era record, later told press how the tears of Yastremska “broke her heart”.
Great gesture from Serena Williams 🇺🇸 after her straight sets win over Dayana Yastremska 🇺🇦 today at the AO! 👏🔥🎾👉Serena played a great match as she hit 8 aces, won 85% of first serve points hit 20 winners for the comfortable 62 61 win 💪@serenawilliams@D_Yastremskapic.twitter.com/G3Nx0ZLdTX
— tennis news chan 1 (@tennisnewschan1) January 19, 2019
"Don't cry. You did amazing. Don't cry."Serena gave uplifting words to 18-year-old Dayana Yastremska after their match. pic.twitter.com/qHGmlBCSBd
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 19, 2019
Serena says she noticed Dayana Yastremska was upset as she was walking to the net. Says she likes that actually because it shows Yastremska wanted to win, not just play a good match. Says it also "broke her heart" to see her so upset. #ausopen
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) January 19, 2019
"As she was walking towards the net, I could tell [Yastremska] was quite upset," the 37-year-old Williams said.
"I kind of liked that. It shows she wasn't just there to play a good match, she was there to win. She wanted to win. That really broke my heart. I think she's a good talent. It's good to see that attitude," she added.
Williams, who kept on course to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam, will now face Romanian world number one Simona Halep in the last 16.
Yastremska seemed to eventually take the defeat on the chin, posting on Instagram: "Learned here in Australian Open a great lesson for the future to come. The season has just started!"
She also shared a touching Instagram story of the moment she was hugged by Williams, with the caption: "I took huge experience, next time, I'm gonna use it!"
