Elina Svitolina turns the tide at Australian Open, defeating World No. 4 in challenging match to reach 1/4 final. Video

Ukraine's second seed Elina Svitolina (WTA No. 27) won a hard-fought victory in the third round of the Australian Open tennis tournament. The match of the 1/8 finals with Italian Jasmine Paolini (WTA No. 4) ended with a score of 2:6, 6:4, 6:0.

The first set did not bode well for the 30-year-old Odesa native. Despite an early 2:1 lead, she lost a serve three times, allowing Paolini to confidently finish the game with a 6:2 score. The turning point came in the second set, where the Ukrainian tennis player showed her character.

After an even start and a 3-2 lead, she began to dominate the court, taking away key points. The set ended in favor of our compatriot - 6:4.

The third set was a triumph for Svitolina. She started aggressively, instantly breaking and seizing the initiative. Paolini was completely at loss and began to make mistake after mistake. As a result, the Ukrainian athlete was able to crash her opponent with a 6-0 lead.

Commenting on the victory, Elina could not contain her emotions.

"It was a crazy battle. I would say that I got inspired after my husband's win. I played so bad the first set, but then I had to push through. I came back to the match and was just trying to get one extra ball over the net and try to find my shot. As I said, my start was not great, but you know, today is my coach's birthday. I woudn't be proud if I had finished the match playing that way. I was just trying to stay as long as I can because the first set went really quick," the Ukrainian said during a flash interview.

The tennis player added that she was very pleased that Ukrainians support her here in the stands, "We have this fighting spirit, we are fighting for what is ours."

Before she left the court, Svitolina wrote on camera "Love Ukraine".

It was Elina Svitolina's 51st match against an opponent from the world top 5 and her 21st victory. This is her second such victory in 12 attempts at the Grand Slam tournament. Earlier, she defeated Iga Świątek at Wimbledon 2023.

For the fifth time in her career, the Ukrainian player reached the last 16 of the Australian Open. Now she will have to face Russian Veronika Kudermetova for the quarterfinals (January 19).

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