Elina Svitolina, who reached the semifinals of Stanford last week, says she has improved a tremendous amount over the past year, but is still a ways away from challenging the top players regularly.
The 21-year-old is currently ranked No. 15 and is 28-15 this season, but is just 1-7 against Top 10 players.
“It’s confidence,” she said. “I had some good wins against the Top 10 players [in the past], but there were bad losses when I won the first set and then I couldn't close. I takes time in my career, it’s step by step. I can’t go straight to the top so fast. It takes time. I move well in the rankings, but I am not rushing.
“The [Top 10] are more confident. Even when they are down one set they don't show they are disappointed. That the main thing. In the players in the Top 5 and Top 10 they always wait for chances and take it. That's why they are so good.”
The Ukrainian was taught to play by her older brother Yulian, who played on the ATP tour before retiring due to injury. He now owns an academy in Los Angeles.
“He is great and it was tough, and [we were] sometimes mad but it worked well,” said the 5'9" right-hander, who is now coached by Iain Hughes. “The main thing was being competitive, and when I was watching him playing I wanted to be better and getting more attention. It was extremely competitive and I got it from my family.”