Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Elina Svitolina - Contrary to expectations, not on the way home yet
Elina Svitolina is in the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. The world number five against defending champion Petra Kvitova had already given up hope of a comeback.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Apr 23, 2021, 10:12 pm
It was on May 9, 2019 when Roger Federer defended two match points against Gael Monfils in the round of 16 of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid and ultimately left the field as the winner. The Swiss then spoke of the particular relief and unique feelings that one would experience after such a comeback victory.
If Monfils was still depressed two years ago, he should have been all the more happy on Friday. Because his fiancée Elina Svitolina did what Federer did in Madrid (and at the US Open in 2014): she fended off two match points. However, the Ukrainian victory should be rated even higher than that of the Swiss, as she recovered against defending champion Petra Kvitova from a 6: 7 (4) and 2: 5 deficit.
Svitolina agrees with Federer
She would agree with Federer when it comes to feelings of happiness after such comeback successes, Svitolina said at the press conference. "It is always very satisfying to win such big fights. (...) It is always an incredible feeling to win such matches," said the Ukrainian.
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In view of the large deficit and the strong performance of her opponent in the match points against herself, she no longer believed in a turnaround: "I fought, but to be completely honest, I no longer believed in winning this match to be able to. "
Svitolina in the semifinals against Barty
"I was thinking that I might go home tonight," laughed Svitolina. But the 26-year-old fended off a match point on her own serve with a score of 2: 5 as well as 4: 5 and ultimately decided the game 6: 7 (4), 7: 5 and 6: 2 for herself.
After beating Kvitova, Svitolina still hasn't had enough. "If you've almost lost, the pressure will certainly ease a bit. (...) But I have to concentrate on the next match. It won't be easier," said the Ukrainian in view of the task at hand. Because with Ashleigh Barty, the world number one is now waiting in the semifinals.
Here the single tableau in Stuttgart
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