Elina Svitolina produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling three-set encounter at the Australian Open. The Ukrainian’s 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory secured her a spot in the round of 16 and reaffirmed her status as a dangerous contender in Melbourne.
A rocky start turns into dominance
Svitolina struggled to find her rhythm early in the match, dropping the first set 2-6 as Paolini took control with consistent play and three consecutive breaks. But the world No. 27 regrouped and turned the tide in the second set, showcasing her resilience and precision.
“In the first set, nothing was working,” Svitolina admitted. “But I knew if I could just focus on finding my rhythm, I could turn it around.”
With seven aces and 34 winners by the end of the match, Svitolina’s aggressive game overwhelmed the Italian, who faltered under pressure. Paolini, who started strong with six winners and eight unforced errors in the first set, finished with 20 winners and 30 unforced errors, unraveling as Svitolina surged in the latter stages.
The key moments
- Set 1: Svitolina initially broke Paolini in the third game, only to lose momentum as the Italian responded with three consecutive breaks to close out the set.
- Set 2: Svitolina earned another break in the third game, but this time held her nerve to maintain her serve and force a deciding set.
- Set 3: Svitolina was unstoppable, dominating with a bagel to complete her comeback in emphatic fashion.
“The third set was a perfect example of what I can do when I’m confident in my game,” Svitolina said after the match.
Next challenge: Kudermetova
Svitolina’s reward for her gritty win is a fourth-round clash against Veronika Kudermetova, who defeated No. 15 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. Kudermetova holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over Svitolina, though their last encounter was in 2021.
“She’s a tough opponent, very consistent,” Svitolina said of Kudermetova. “I’ll need to bring my best game and stay focused.”
A path to redemption
After a challenging period in her career, including time away from the tour, Svitolina appears to be regaining her form. Her performance against Paolini showcased her fighting spirit, tactical adjustments, and ability to dominate once the momentum shifted in her favor.
With a potential deep run in Melbourne now on the horizon, Svitolina is proving she still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
