MELBOURNE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- With Aussie fans out in force on Wednesday to cheer on local favorite Olivia Rogowska in her second round match up against Marta Kostyuk, most in attendance had no idea her Ukrainian opponent was about to make history.
But a collective gasp rang out across Court 3 when the teenager revealed in a post match, on-court interview that she was born in 2002 and is only 15 years of age.
The feat makes Kostyuk the youngest player to reach the third round at the Australian Open since Martina Hingis in 1996.
After gaining a straight sets victory over China's Peng Shuai in her first round match, the 6-3, 7-5 win over Rogowska will now see her face fellow Ukrainian and fourth seed in the tournament, Elina Svitolina.
To date, the teenage sensation has only pocketed a little over 6000 U.S. dollars in prize money during her short career, however her passage into the third round will now guarantee Kostyuk in excess of 100,000 U.S. dollars.
"I already know where I'm going to spend this," she told reporters after the match.
"First of all I will get presents for my family, because I have big family."
"And then for myself a bit," she added.
When asked about the next round match with her compatriot Svitolina, Kostyuk said that she "will just enjoy it."
"I think I'm going to play on the big court again, so I will just try to show my best tennis," she predicted.
