Elina Svitolina has been on a roll at the Australian Open. The Ukrainian has entered her maiden semifinals at the event and she recently delivered a powerful message for her countrymen as she ousted Coco Gauff for her career-best win since returning from maternity leave.
Svitolina kicked off her campaign Down Under with straight sets wins over Cristina Bucsa, Linda Klimovicova and Diana Shnaider. The 31-year-old pulled off her first major upset in the fourth round when she defeated Russian eight seed Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-4. She followed this up with yet another giant-slaying performance, outdoing third seed Coco Gauff in under an hour during her quarterfinals encounter. After her win over Gauff, Svitolina shared a powerful tribute to Ukraine and her compatriots, telling media,
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“Of course, for my country it is great. I know that lots of people (have) been watching, especially the matches that I had before. It’s very close to my heart to see a lot of support from Ukrainians and lots of people also get into tennis in Ukraine which is great. Of course right now, it was, I think, one of the toughest winters for Ukrainian people, without the electricity and everything. So I feel like bringing this little light you know, even just positive news to Ukrainian people, to my friends when they are watching my matches, it’s a great feeling for me.”
Over the past few years, Elina Svitolina has been vocal about the situation in Ukraine amidst their war with Russia. The World No.12 has often showcased her support for her homeland and recently penned a special note thanking her compatriots for their support.
Elina Svitolina shares her honest thoughts about facing Aryna Sabalenka
Up next at the Australian Open, Elina Svitolina will run into World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The two players have previously competed against each other six times, with Sabalenka having won five of these matches, including their three most recent encounters.
Now, as Svitolina prepares to take on the two-time Australian Open champion, she shared her honest thoughts about their upcoming clash, telling media,
“Of course, I mean it’s no secret that she’s a very powerful player. For me, I’ll have to be ready for that. Try to find the ways and the little holes, little opportunities in her game. When you play the top players, you have to find these small opportunities and then be ready to take them.”
Elina Svitolina is scheduled to return to action at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 29. If the Ukrainian gets the better of Aryna Sabalenka, she could run into either Kazakh Elena Rybakina or Americans Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova in the finals of the Major.
Edited by Riddhi Acharya
