Daria Snigur defeats Halep In US Open

Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur has dedicated her shock US Open victory over seventh seed Simona Halep to the people of her war-torn nation.

Making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, Snigur won 6-2 0-6 6-4 in New York to record the biggest win of her career.

The 20-year-old prepared for the tournament in Riga after her training base in Kyiv was bombed by Russia.

The world number 124 said; “This is a victory for Ukraine, for all Ukrainian people, for my family, for my team.

“The situation is bad, of course. I try to do the best for Ukraine, I try to support my country.

“It’s not so easy because the war is continuing. Sometimes it’s impossible to play but I try to do my best because I want to live in Ukraine.”

Snigur could barely believe her achievement as Halep sent a backhand into the net to confirm a huge opening-day upset at Flushing Meadows.

Having led the third set 5-1, Snigur held her nerve to beat two-time major winner Halep and earn a first Tour-level match win, in her first meeting with a top-10 ranked player.

BBC/Samuel Isaiah