Svitolina turns the tables to upset Paolini at the Australian Open

Seed no. 28 Elina Svitolina followed in the footsteps of husband Gael Monfils on Saturday at the Australian Open, ousting the no. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the second week in Melbourne for the fifth time.

The previous match at the Margaret Court Arena had seen Monfils, 38, beat ATP no. 4 seed Taylor Fritz out to record her first Top 5 win at a major since 2008. Svitolina, 30, made it a double upset for the household, sealing her first Top 5 win since defeating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon 2023.

Last year, the Ukrainian came into the Australian in strong form but was forced to withdraw from her fourth-round match against Linda Noskova after just three matches due to a back injury. She would struggle with various physical issues during the season, which she cut shortly after the US Open to undergo foot surgery. This is the first tournament following that procedure.

More to come…