Elina Svitolina produced a remarkable comeback to defeat No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling three-set encounter at the Australian Open. The Ukrainian’s victory, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0, secured her a place in the next round and reaffirmed her status as a formidable competitor in Melbourne.
A rough start turns into domination
Svitolina struggled to find her rhythm early in the match, losing the first set 2-6 as Paolini took control with consistent play and three consecutive breaks. But the world No. 27 rallied and turned the tide in the second set, showing her resilience and precision.
“In the first set, nothing worked,” Svitolina admitted. “But I knew if I could just focus on finding my rhythm, I could turn things around.” »
With seven aces and 34 winners at the end of the match, Svitolina’s aggressive play overwhelmed the Italian, who faltered under the pressure. Paolini, who started well with six winners and eight unforced errors in the first set, finished with 20 winners and 30 unforced errors, falling apart as Svitolina took the upper hand in the closing stages.
Key moments
- Set 1 : Svitolina initially broke Paolini in the third game, but lost momentum as the Italian responded with three consecutive breaks to win the set.
- Set 2 : Svitolina earned another break in the third game, but this time held on to hold serve and force a deciding set.
- Set 3 : Svitolina was unstoppable, dominating with a 6-0 run to complete her comeback in emphatic fashion.
“The third set was a perfect example of what I can do when I have confidence in my game,” Svitolina said after the match.
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Next challenge: Kudermetova
Svitolina’s reward for her hard-fought victory is a fourth-round clash against Veronika Kudermetova, who beat No. 15 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. Kudermetova has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Svitolina, although their last meeting was in 2021.
“She’s a tough opponent, very consistent,” Svitolina said of Kudermetova. “I will have to give my best and stay focused. »
A path to redemption
After a difficult period in her career, including time away from the circuit, Svitolina appears to be returning to form. His performance against Paolini showcased his fighting spirit, tactical adjustments and ability to dominate once momentum turned in his 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.
