‘I’m playing really aggressively right now’ – Elina Svitolina confident ahead of US Open quarter-final
Elina Svitolina booked her place in US Open quarter-finals with a straight sets win against former Major champion Simona Halep.
The Ukranian has reached quarter-finals of all Grand Slams and produced a very strong performance to defeat Halep 6-3, 6-3. Significantly, it was the first time Svitolina had beaten Halep at Grand Slam level.
“Right now I’m feeling good. I think I’m playing really aggressive right now. I think the most aggressive I’ve ever been, making lots of winners, serving really good,” said the number five seed.
“I think it was really strong performance from me on the important moments, even when Simona came back in the second set to break me again.
“It was extremely tough, but I think I was mentally strong, didn’t let that break me. Really helped me to close this match in two sets.”
Svitolina entered US Open in fine form after winning her 16th title in Chicago earlier this month and has now won 11 consecutive sets.
“For sure I’m feeling that I’m in the right place right now. I’m feeling good on the court. My movement is good,” added Svitolina.
“For sure it was a good decision, good call from Andy (coach) to get a wild card to play in Chicago. I had some good matches because obviously after Cincinnati, that match against Angie (Kerber), was maybe not my best performance.”
“Right now I just want to focus on this moment where I’m feeling good, where I just want to build on that, I want to focus on the next challenge.”
Svitolina will face teenage sensation Leylah Fernandez in last eight, who has already defeated defending champion Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, the Ukranian is wary of her threat.
“We played once in Monterrey (2020). She was striking the ball already good there. It was a tough match for me (6-4, 7-5 win). I really saw in that time that she can play great tennis,” recalled Svitolina.
“Right now we can see that she improved. She started to believe more, I guess, in herself. Beating Naomi, it’s a good sign that she’s playing well. For me it’s important to focus on my game and to bring my best game to quarter-final.”
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