19th January, 2019
Seven-time champion Serena Williams comforted opponent Dayana Yastremska after powering past the teenager into the Australian Open fourth round.
Williams beat the 18-year-old Ukrainian 6-2 6-1 in one hour and seven minutes and did not drop a service game, BBC reports.
“You’re gonna make it, don’t cry”, Williams, 37, told a tearful Yastremska following her victory.
The American will face Romanian world number one Simona Halep next after she beat Serena’s older sister Venus.
“I thought she did really amazing,” Williams said when asked about the future of Yastremska, who was not even born when the American won the first of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles in 1999.
“You did amazing. You did so well. You did amazing. Don’t cry. You did really well.”
❤️ @serenawilliams #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/kbRHcob5Tz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2019
“She came out swinging and to be so young, she came out ready to go. When I was young I played against so many people and everyone I faced was intimidating and not easy. You just go out and swing and do the best you can.”