Svitolina knocks out Puig in straight sets at Brisbane International

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Monica Puig didn’t have a golden start to her 2017 season. The 2016 Olympic champion lost in her opening round match to Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-3 at the Brisbane International tennis tournament.

The two have split their last two meetings but haven’t met in two years. Both ladies have had improvements to their game near the tail end of the season. The Olympic gold medalist from Puerto Rico handled the competition in Rio but obviously put enough energy in that to suffer losses in late tournaments. With the new year in hand, Puig has every opportunity to make things happen and rise in the ranks. The same went for the 22-year-old who earned a massive victory at the Olympics despite not medaling. Her victories over the season have her sitting as the 14^th best in the world with her first match in place to show her strengths.

She began with a strong open service that was followed by a response from Puig. When it came time for Svitolina to gain control, she blew through the third game and never let go. The Ukrainian earned her first break and picked up a second straight that gave her a 4-1 hold. Puig struck back when the sixth seed double faulted opening the door for the Puerto Rican. A break in the seventh put her within reach of a tie when Svitolina committed her third double fault.

The 22-year-old recovered well with a triple break in the eighth before fighting to capture the set in the ninth. It took her some time to get the job done but after four breaks, she took the set 6-3 in 36 minutes. Svitolina had five double faults in the victory but had her first serve to thank landing 13 of 16 and over 60 percent service points won.

She carried her run from the first to break Puig who opened service to begin the second set. The Ukrainian fired off big hits to the Puerto Rican who had moments where she couldn’t keep up with the pace. It led to Svitolina jumping to a sizable lead. Puig got on the board after losing the first three and got within reach of a tie through six. It was at that point that the sixth seed rushed toward the win giving up one last game before closing out her first round in 1 hour and 16 minutes.

Svitolina committed just one double fault while improving the second service scoring on six of nine. With a strong finish, the Ukrainian could follow on the path to the round of 16 where she’ll face Shelby Rogers on Wednesday.