Elina Svitolina (No. 27 WTA), the second racket of Ukraine, received a standing ovation from the stadium in Melbourne after a strong-willed victory in the third round of the Australian Open. The 30-year-old from Odessa beat the fourth racket of the world, Italian Yasmine Paolini - 2:6, 6:4, 6:0.

After success in a difficult match, our tennis player approached the television camera and left a message to the whole world, writing on the glass: “Love Ukraine”. The gesture drew thunderous applause from the crowd at Margaret Court Arena..

In an interview, Svitolina emphasized that she was pleased to feel the support of Ukrainians in the stands:

“My people fight every day, and I also try to demonstrate this victorious spirit that the Ukrainians demonstrate.”.

For Svitolina, this was her 51st game against a top-5 opponent, and it brought her her 21st victory. This is the second such success at the Grand Slam tournaments - she previously defeated Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon 2023.

The Ukrainian reached the 1/8 finals of the Australian Open for the fifth time. In her next match she will meet Veronika Kudermetova.