Eva Lys reaches Australian Open third round as lucky loser

German tennis player Eva Lys makes an unexpected run to the third round of the Australian Open after becoming a lucky loser.

Eva Lys of Germany reacts during her second-round match against Varvara Gracheva of France on Day 5 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025. Photo by Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images

By Yuni Utomo and Armandio Alif

Eva Lys, the 23-year-old German tennis player, is on an unexpected journey at the 2025 Australian Open after seizing a second chance as a "lucky loser." Having already packed her bags and booked her flight home, Lys stunned the tennis world by making it to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

In a gripping second-round match on Thursday, Lys defeated France’s Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. The victory saw her collapse onto her back in celebration as she realized the magnitude of her achievement.

“I don’t think I have any words to describe it yet,” said Lys, ranked 128th in the world.

Germany's Eva Lys celebrates match point against France's Varvara Gracheva during their women's singles match on day five of the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne on January 16. Photo by Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images

Lys’s incredible run at the Australian Open began with disappointment. After losing in the final round of qualifying last week, her dream of playing in the season’s first Grand Slam seemed shattered. However, fate intervened when 13th seed Anna Kalinskaya withdrew from the tournament due to injury, allowing Lys to step in as a lucky loser.

“I found out about it 10 minutes before the match so I didn’t have time to get nervous,” Lys recalled. “I didn’t even have match clothes on, so I went to the locker room, got changed straight away, and then they called my name. No warm-up, no anything.”

A “lucky loser” is a player who, after losing in qualifying, gets a spot in the main draw due to another player's withdrawal. Despite being thrown into the fray without preparation, Lys made the most of the opportunity by defeating Australian Kimberly Birrell in straight sets in the first round.

“It was a bit of a panic moment because I didn’t have my drinks ready,” Lys laughed. “Maybe that’s the key to the next match—no preparation, just go with the flow.”

A whirlwind week

Lys’s rapid rise at the Australian Open is a testament to her resilience and ability to seize opportunities. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moving to Germany at the age of two, Lys had to adjust quickly to her sudden entry into the main draw of a Grand Slam. The “lucky loser” status, though often seen as a stroke of fortune, has proven to be a powerful motivator for Lys, who is embracing the unexpected turn of events.

“Last week, my dream was over, and now I’m in the third round of the Australian Open,” she said, still processing the whirlwind of events.

The tennis world took notice of her performance, particularly her ability to perform under pressure after entering the main draw at the last minute. The German player, who has been ranked as high as 128th, now faces Romania's Jaqueline Cristian, ranked 82nd, in the third round of the tournament.

Germany's Eva Lys (L) and France's Varvara Gracheva shake hands at the net following their women's singles match on day five of the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne on January 16. Photo by Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images

As Lys continues her improbable run at the Australian Open, she reflects on the journey that has brought her to this moment. While her first-round match against Birrell was a surprise, her victory over Gracheva proved she belongs in the spotlight.

"I didn’t expect it to go this far,” Lys admitted, “but every win feels like a bonus.”

Now with the third round ahead, Lys is eager to continue defying expectations. She faces a tough challenge against Cristian, who is ranked higher, but Lys's performances so far suggest she has the determination and skill to push even further.

The Australian Open has been a stage for underdogs before, and Eva Lys is now among the players who have capitalized on their second chances. As she prepares for the next match, her story continues to inspire many, proving that in tennis, anything is possible.