By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Elina Svitolina just clinched another huge win after upsetting former world no. 1 female tennis player Victoria Azarenka- 2.6, 6.4, 7.6- to punch a ticket in the quarterfinal round of the ongoing Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament last July 10, 2023.
After dropping the opening set, the Ukrainian tennis superstar gathered herself in the next two sets and outplayed Azarenka in the baseline game.
Known to be a consistent groundstroke hitter, Svitolina went toe-to-toe against Azarenka in the rally game and won several crucial exchanges that helped her regain momentum when the score tied up at 1-1.
Azarenka was able to catch up quickly and relied on her heavy first service power but Svitolina’s perseverance in chasing for the long balls made the difference in the match.
When the game was deadlocked at 4-all, Svitolina was able to find some leverage after scoring back-to-back return winners.
Azarenka answered back with a service ace followed by a backhand winner in the net area which forced a tiebreaker when the score equalized again at 6-all.
It was a close match in the tiebreaker as both players traded winners after winners but midway in the extension period, Svitolina once again found momentum after outdueling Azarenka in a long rally.
That winner boosted Svitolina’s confidence in the last three set possessions and helped her hack out an exhausting 11-9 win in the tiebreak set.
Svitolina is currently fighting for a spot once again and was the former world no. 3 female tennis player last 2017.
However, a series of unfortunate Grand Slam early exits and an injury-plagued season halted her momentum in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
