10 out of 10 from Elina Svitolina as she cruises into WTA Chicago quarter-final

Elina Svitolina made it a 10th quarter-final in 2021 by defeating Romanian opponent Elena-Gabriela Ruse at the ‘Windy City’ WTA event.

The world number six is flying high as the number one seed at the Chicago Fall Tennis Classic, defeating Ruse 6-3, 6-3 to reach the last eight.

“It was a good match today, and I think there were lots of tough games, tough rallies,” Svitolina expressed after the victory. “In the end, the score was 6-3, 6-3, but it was quite a tough battle.

“It was up-and-down a little bit, but in the end, I think I was quite solid, and was really happy with my movement today. Happy I could win in two sets.”

Of her 10 WTA tour quarter-finals so far this year, the Ukrainian has on three occasions lost to the eventual champion of the event, twice being the world number one Ashleigh Barty.

At the US Open Svitolina lost to eventual finalist Leylah Fernandez. She has one title and Olympic bronze to her name this year.

In Chicago, Svitolina next faces sixth seed and world number 16 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.

The two women have faced three times on the WTA tour, with Svitolina winning all three encounters. However, the two first met over a decade ago as juniors.

“I think the first time I played against her [was] in 2010 in Belgium,” Svitolina recalls. “And then the next week we played in the final of Roland Garros! It was really special for both of us.

“She’s such a nice person, and it’s going to be a big battle, and I’ll try to do my best.”

Svitolina also won that meeting in the girls’ singles final of Roland Garros 2010.