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Former ODU Monarch Yuliia Starodubtseva has qualified for the main draw at the Australian Open. She is at a new career high WTA ranking of 150.

(01-12-2024 07:51 AM)odubsu Wrote:  Former ODU Monarch Yuliia Starodubtseva has qualified for the main draw at the Australian Open. She is at a new career high WTA ranking of 150.

Outstanding!

I was coming here to post this. Glad that I have some fellow tennis fans here as well.

(01-13-2024 03:29 AM)Oduniceguy Wrote:  I was coming here to post this. Glad that I have some fellow tennis fans here as well.

Big tennis fan here. I watched her qualification final on Espn+. She won the tie break in the 3rd to win. She has a tough draw in the tournament. First round opponent is #6 seed Ons Jabeur.

From the WTA site. ODU gets some love:

One year ago, Yuliia Starodubtseva was unranked, and just embarking on her first full pro season after graduating from Old Dominion University with a master's degree in sport management. Within two tournaments, the Ukrainian lifted her first ITF title in Spring, Texas. By the end of the year, she had claimed another three ITF W60 trophies, made her Grand Slam qualifying debut at the US Open and compiled a 44-16 record to finish at No.160. Along the way, Starodubtseva claimed wins over tour veterans such as Sara Errani, Madison Brengle and Wang Yafan, as well as top teenage talents Robin Montgomery and Clervie Ngounoue.

The final year of Starodubtseva's standout college career had been marked by heaviness as her hometown of Kakhovka bore the brunt of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Like compatriot Elina Svitolina, Starodubtseva channelled her sadness and anger into her tennis.

"I think she found her calling, being one of the best players in the nation, and bringing attention to her country that way," ODU women's coach Dominic Manilla told ODU Sports in 2022. "She didn't just play for ODU or for herself this season. She did it for Ukraine."

The 23-year-old has continued to battle hard in Melbourne, coming through a third-set tiebreak in her final qualifying match against Gabriela Knutson. Her reward is a first-round date with No.6 seed Ons Jabeur.

Her ML odds are +550 on DK. Worth taking a dip on while rooting on a Monarch.

Very cool. Tennis is the lone shining star in our athletic department.

(01-13-2024 01:05 PM)Fatalisk Wrote:  Very cool. Tennis is the lone shining star in our athletic department.

This is women’s soccer and field hockey erasure.

Unfortunately, Yuliia’s run at the Aussie Open has come to an end. She lost 6-3, 6-1 to #6 Seed Ons Jabeur. There is a lot for her to be proud of and I look forward to see how she continues to develop in her professional career.

(01-15-2024 10:26 PM)Oduniceguy Wrote:  Unfortunately, Yuliia’s run at the Aussie Open has come to an end. She lost 6-3, 6-1 to #6 Seed Ons Jabeur. There is a lot for her to be proud of and I look forward to see how she continues to develop in her professional career.

Tough first round matchup in Jabeur. Yuliia's live WTA ranking is now up to 136. Very possible that she could break into the Top 100 if she keeps playing this well.

(01-15-2024 10:26 PM)Oduniceguy Wrote:  Unfortunately, Yuliia’s run at the Aussie Open has come to an end. She lost 6-3, 6-1 to #6 Seed Ons Jabeur. There is a lot for her to be proud of and I look forward to see how she continues to develop in her professional career.

They mentioned ODU on the telecast and that her mother and sister are taking refuge in Ireland and her father was still in Ukraine. She is working in a country club in NY and living with her ODU tennis boyfriend.