MELBOURNE — As expected, Elina Svitolina brushed aside 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk, 6-2, 6-2, in just 59 minutes to reach the fourth round.
“How much you have to pay Svitolina to have one-hour lesson?” Kostyuk said. “ I got it for free.”
Kostyuk said she was in tears after committing 31 unforced errors including a double fault on match point.
“What I learn is that you can play against everyone. I had the chances, but because I thought she is incredible, like she's a god, I cannot do anything against her. That's the problem,” Kostyuk said. “I didn't show even maybe even 10 percent of what I can [do].”
It’s been a rollercoaster of new experiences for Kostyuk, and as hard as it is to believe: Everything moving forward is new territory for Svitolina. It’s the 23-year-old’s very first time into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
“I think she will remember this moment for all her life,” Svitolina said about her fellow Ukrainian. “Of course, it was a little bit strange for me to play against her in the third round, but [at] the same time, I think it's very special moment for both of us.”
Svitolina’s best career major runs have come on clay at the French Open (two quarterfinal appearances). She has played just five times in Melbourne—three of her losses were to Grand Slam champions (Angelique Kerber, Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams). So clearly, the luck of the draw has held her back. That has all changed this fortnight.
“I cannot be more prepared than I am now,” Svitolina said. “I had an amazing run in Brisbane. I was very happy I could start the year with the win. Yeah, just enjoying myself on court. Every match is a big challenge for everyone in a Grand Slam.”
This year marks her first time Down Under as a Top 10 seed (she’s No. 4) and she’s a favorite to win it all, especially since she is sitting in a wide-open section of the draw.
She’ll take on qualifier Denisa Allertova on Sunday and then, if she wins, either Elise Mertens or Petra Martic (who are both unseeded). This means there will be a guaranteed first-time major semifinalist next week. For Svitolina, it’ll be all about managing pressure, and she’s got the prefect strategy:
“It adds a little bit more pressure, but when you are out there playing on the court, I don't have this thing in my head. I just have my opponent, I have my racquet, tennis ball, and I know what I have to do.”
Read Joel Drucker and Nina Pantic on TENNIS.com as they report from the Australian Open, and watch them each day on The Daily Mix:
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