Eva Lys had already booked a flight home after failing to qualify for the Australian Open — but scored a second shot at competing after a “lucky loser” spot opened up.

Eva Lys was left stunned and in disbelief after being told how much money she made by reaching the Australian Open round-of-16. Anyone who has been following this year's Happy Slam edition knows that the 128th-ranked German's run will be remembered as one of the best stories of this year's tournament.

In the Round of 16 at the Australian Open on Saturday, Eva Lys (ranked No. 128) takes on Iga Swiatek (No. 2).Lys heads into the Round of 16 after winning in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, over

Lys, no slouch as the world No.128, went on to claim three-sets wins over Varvara Gracheva (world No.69) and Jaqueline Cristian (world No.82) before running into five-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, the second seed, dominated to wrap up a 6-0 6-1 victory in just 59 minutes.

Eva Lys declared her Australian Open fairytale as "the nicest week" of her life but also shared that not long ago she was having tearful nights and wondering if her moment would ever come. On Monday, the lucky loser's impressive campaign at Melbourne Park finished with a 6-0 6-1 defeat to Iga Swiatek.

MELBOURNE–Lucky loser Eva Lys felt like she had been hit by a train after a heavy defeat by world number two Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open 2025 fourth round on Monday but the German said she had enjoyed the journey in the best week of her life.

Germany's Eva Lys makes history as she becomes the first women's singles lucky loser to reach the Australian Open in the Open Era.

Lucky loser Eva Lys felt like she had been hit by a train after a heavy defeat by world number two Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open fourth round on Monday but the German said she had enjoyed the journey in the best week of her life.

Watch the match highlights between Eva Lys & Iga Swiatek in Round 4 of the 2025 Australian Open Women's Singles Tournament Tennis.