Lucky loser Eva Lys stunned to learn of ‘insane’ $420,000 Australian Open prize cheque

The Australian Open’s luckiest loser Eva Lys has been stunned to learn just how much prize money she picked up for her run to the fourth round.

The 23-year-old had never been beyond the second round of a grand slam but made the most of her last-minute opportunity to join the main draw in Melbourne to secure three wins worth 240 ranking points and an astonishing $420,000.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Incredible moment lucky loser learns of ‘insane’ Aus Open prize

Having lost in qualifying, Lys stuck around long enough to sign in and earn a dramatic call-up when Anna Kalinskaya withdrew 10 minutes before her first-round match.

Lys’s nothing-to-lose attitude produced a 6-2 6-2 victory over Aussie opponent Kimberly Birrell, who was shaken by the late change of opponent.

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.

Lys enjoyed the “humbling” experience on Rod Laver Arena, during which she celebrated her one service hold as if she had scored an upset win.

But the real benefits of her Australian Open experience will start to show in the coming weeks and months.

Lys will rise to a new career-high ranking inside the world’s top 100, which could mean direct entry into the French Open in a few months’ time.

She also gets to cash the most significant cheque of her career — a $420,000 pay day she seemed completely unaware of until being told in a post-match interview.

“Did you not know that?” the presenter asked.

Lys shook her head and laughed as she celebrated with a high five.

“(I didn’t know) because I’ve never went that far in a tournament,” she said.

“That is insane. That’s a number I have never even heard in my life.”

Reality will soon dawn on Lys that the $420,000 prize will be cut down not only by taxes but the exchange rate.

Nevertheless, the share will help fund her season in ways she could only dream.

“It’s definitely the nicest week I’ve had of my life because it wasn’t only really about the result but about the whole story,” Lys said after the match.

“This is the week I’ve been working for for ages and I was always waiting for that moment.

“I’ve had a lot of nights where I was actually taking to my parents often with tears asking when will the time come because I know I have the potential, but sometimes I was the only person that’s really standing in my own way.

“Everything just came down to this week where on one side it’s definitely the tennis I played but also it was the luck in the beginning and just the momentum that made it so special. I’m definitely enjoying every second I had here.”