Ukrainian tennis star, Elina Svitolina, has laid out her strategy for triumph against American dynamo, Danielle Collins, in the anticipated third-round face-off at the Indian Wells tournament. This showdown is predicted to be one of the most thrilling matches of the competition, especially as it unfolds on U.S. soil where Collins’ games are always a crowd magnet.
Svitolina, who has made it to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2023, is no stranger to Collins’ aggressive playing style, having encountered her twice before. However, the previous matches ended in favor of the currently 14th-seeded American, with Collins securing a 6-1 6-1 victory at the 2020 Brisbane and a 6-2 6-2 win at their 2023 Montreal showdown. Despite these setbacks, the former world No. 3 player from Ukraine is undeterred and is set on changing the narrative at Indian Wells.
Svitolina shared her game plan saying, “Indeed, I’ve had the chance to play against Danielle on two occasions, both of which didn’t end in my favor. I know her game inside out, and there are certain aspects I need to hone in my practice sessions to counter her style of play. She’s an aggressive player on the court. Fortunately, I have some time to get my game up to speed and I’m determined to match her tempo and establish my own rhythm on the court.”
In her opening match at Indian Wells, Svitolina, the 23rd seed, managed to triumph over American player, Ashlyn Krueger, in a 6-1 6-7 (8) 6-3 match. Despite being on American turf and up against a home player, Svitolina found herself cheered on by supportive fans. This support extends beyond the court as the Ukrainian star has been receiving messages of encouragement in light of the current crisis in her homeland.
Svitolina expressed her gratitude, “The support I received on the court was nothing short of amazing. People came up to me even before the match started, offering words of encouragement. There’s also been an outpour of support on social media. To be honest, it’s a pleasant surprise. It’s heartening to see people supporting us and standing in solidarity with Ukraine.”
