Elina Svitolina's inspiring Australian Open campaign took center stage as the Ukrainian tennis star rallied from behind to secure victory against Jasmine Paolini, following her husband Gael Monfils' stunning upset earlier the same day. Svitolina, the 30-year-old former world number three, faced the fourth-seeded Italian Paolini on January 12, 2025, at the prestigious Margaret Court Arena.
The match began on shaky ground for Svitolina, who lost the first set 2-6. It was not just any ordinary match for Svitolina; the atmosphere buzzed with electricity as Monfils had recently triumphed over US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, the men's fourth seed, on the very same court. Having witnessed her husband's remarkable achievement, Svitolina channeled the energy from Monfils’ match and came back stronger.
“It was a crazy battle today; I got inspired after my husband’s win,” Svitolina shared during her post-match interview. “I watched a little bit (of Monfils’ match), of course it was tough to miss.” The memory of Monfils’ game clearly lingered with her, providing the motivation needed when the pressure mounted on her side.
The second set saw Svitolina demonstrate her resilience as she fought back, eventually taking control by winning six consecutive games. She turned the match around, securing the final set 6-0, and sealing her progression to the last 16 of the tournament. “To be fair I played so bad the first set, I’m not sure if I was inspired! But after I had to really push through and I’m really happy with the way I came back…” she added, reflecting on her challenging match.
Svitolina's next challenge lies against Veronika Kudermetova, who defeated Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 6-2. Both players' trajectories could play heavily on the tournament's dynamics.
Meanwhile, Monfils’ defeat of Fritz echoed through the grounds, sparking chatter among tennis fans. Monfils played with vigor, energizing the crowd as he showcased his skills on the court. For Svitolina, the thrill of sharing such moments with her partner adds another layer to the competition – one filled with emotional waves and palpable support.
Elena Rybakina also faced injury concerns but managed to overcome them, defeating Dayana Yastremska with scores of 6-3, 6-4. Rybakina, the sixth seed and former runner-up at Melbourne Park, cited her back issues but remained optimistic about her next encounter.
Emma Navarro continued her solid form, edging past Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, sealing her third consecutive win with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Navarro now faces Russian Daria Kasatkina, who made quick work of Yulia Putintseva.
Other remarkable performances from the tournament included Eva Lys, the 23-year-old German who became the first women’s lucky loser to reach the fourth round since 1988, after overcoming Jaqueline Cristian. With her meteoric rise from entering the tournament just ten minutes prior to her match, Lys has captivated audiences, describing her experience as "an insane story."
While Svitolina prepares to face Kudermetova, the intertwining tales of Monfils and Svitolina highlight the supportive dynamics of their relationship and prove how personal connections can inspire remarkable performances, especially on such grand stages like the Australian Open. The blend of determination, inspiration, and competition will surely see Svitolina push onward as she seeks to reclaim her place among tennis greats.