Svitolina grounds Konta to keep title defense on course

3m read 09 Aug 2018 6y ago

Elina Svitolina, Montreal 2018 (Pascal Ratthe/Tennis Canada)

MONTREAL, Canada - Defending champion Elina Svitolina

scored a fourth straight win against Johanna Konta to move back into the quarterfinals of the Coupe Rogers on Thursday afternoon, 6-3, 6-4.

The No.5 seed rallied to win the last four games of the match from a break down in the second set to book another spot in the last eight in just under 90 minutes.

"We had some tough matches in the past. I knew what I had to expect from her. I had to be ready for a very tough match. I think I produced really good and high-level tennis first and second set. Then she was playing well, I thought," Svitolina said after the match.

"In the second set, the level was really good. I felt that I'm getting better and better. In the end, I took the risk and I got rewards for that. I was really happy the way I handled that."

Konta finished off a second round victory against Victoria Azarenka

earlier in Thursday's action, as their match was suspended due to rain on Wednesday with the Brit leading, 6-3, 3-0.

However, the World No.43 was unable to nab both her a second victory of the day and first-ever win against the Ukrainian No.1, as she was broken four times overall in the match and landed under 50 percent of her first serves.

"I even thought it could be advantage for her because she played four, five games, so she was ready straight going into the match probably, mentally more warmed up. That's what I thought," the Ukrainian added.

"I was like, 'Okay, c'mon, you have to be ready, she will be straight in the match.' I think that really helped me, motivated me to start really strong. I think first set was really good for me, as well. I was strong mentally."

Only one break point was faced in the entirely of the opening set, and it was Svitolina who created and sealed the opportunity to move ahead in the fourth game of the match.

The Ukrainian No.1 was never taken to deuce and surrendered just three points behind her first serve overall in the set, and looked to be on course for an uncomplicated win as she was the first to break in the second set.

However, after losing serve to love to trail 6-3, 2-1, the Brit played her best return game of the match to return the favor to love. That kicked off a run of three straight games to Konta's side of the scoreboard, but the Ukranian righted the ship with a second love break to get back on serve.

From there, Svitolina had all the answers as she pocketed every game played, and edged a lengthy, five-deuce affair on Konta's serve to move in front for the final time.

When I always come to the tournament that I won...I feel the difference. Here, it's just really nice. The fans are very sweet. They're very welcoming, as well. When I've been training here earlier in the week, there's lots of people watching, lots of people cheering. It's something that matters a lot to all the players. It's something that motivates us to play better, to have better attitude. I think it's great to have these kind of fans.

- Defending champion Elina Svitolina on her Canadian support.

The defending champion's next test will come in the form of No.14 Elise Mertens

or unseeded Belarusian , who were slated to play in a third round match on Thursday night.

Sabalenka previously knocked off No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki

after saving three match points in second round action earlier in the day.

"They're both strong players. We'll see who's going to win. They still have to play their match. It's going to be a good match for both of them," she said. "I'll just try to recover, have some dinner, just chill and maybe watch few games. Recover and be ready for the quarterfinal."

WTA Staff