Elina Svitolina wins maiden match at Mubadala Citi Open

Elina Svitolina in her first round match against Victoria Azarenka at the Mubadala Citi Open. 

Elina Svitolina came out on top in her first match at the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington D.C. on Monday night. The 28-year-old battled Victoria Azarenka, who held her through most of their hard court matches, winning in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-4 on Stadium Court at the FitzGerald Tennis Center. It marked the second consecutive match win against Azarenka, building together a new streak.

The birthday girl faced the Ukrainian for the second time and first since their fourth-rounder at Wimbledon. It was the first win for the 28-year-old against Azarenka, who won their previous five meetings. The 34-year-old carried the experience of playing in Washington while her opponent made her debut at the tournament. Most of Azarenka’s wins against Svitolina came on hard courts, leaving the former world number one in a good spot to handle the situation.

Azarenka didn’t start her serve right, giving Svitolina an open door. The 28-year-old walked through to take the victory and ran through her service in the second. After 10 points, it was Svitolina winning every single one of them. She made it 12 straight, with a double break in hand and two double faults to the former world number one. The Ukrainian suffered a problem with her serve to give the first pair of points to Azarenka in the fourth. It turned into a break to love for the 34-year-old, ending her long slide.

A complete turn of momentum occurred in the following game, where Azarenka took control of her serve and built an amazing comeback. She found her offense and kept it in check to dominate Svitolina until she had a 4-3 lead. With a winning streak in place, Svitolina knew that she had to end the one-sided traffic. Another break went in favor of Azarenka, who earned the chance to serve for the set. Svitolina caught a chance to break when the 34-year-old committed a third double fault. It was a bad occurrence that led the Ukrainian to sit a game down.

The 28-year-old held the tenth to move further on in the set, keeping the opportunities alive. In the 11th, the two battled through points until Svitolina brought up a breakpoint. The final rally ended with Azarenka returning one just long of the baseline. The two went to a tiebreak as Svitolina committed a third double fault, giving Azarenka a break chance. She succeeded in doing so, opening the final battle of the set.

Svitolina captured the first four points before the 34-year-old aced her way to get on the board. A return bounced off the top of the net, forcing the ball out for Azarenka. The Ukrainian served herself up five set points, with the 34-year-old acing one. She failed to cover the gap, going down to Svitolina after 59 minutes. Both had 35 combined errors and 40 percent success on points won from the serve.

The second got underway, with Azarenka drawing first blood in the shape of a break. Svitolina broke back in the second, showing no signs of letting up. The two played four breaks in a row until the Ukrainian held in the fifth. She gained a two-game cushion, backing up the hold of serve and a double break in hand. The 34-year-old refused to give another game to Svitolina, breaking back in the seventh to sit a game down.

The 28-year-old broke back in the eighth to sit up 5-3, putting the pressure on Azarenka while serving for the match. Azarenka saved another game so inch closer to Svitolina, who suffered the break. The Ukrainian remained focused and watched her opponent make mistakes. A double fault and a pair of errors put Svitolina into place to take the victory and avoid a deciding set. It was a 1 hour and 48-minute battle that saw neither of them at their best, but a push for the former world number three allowed her to post a maiden victory in the nation’s capital.

“The (Ukrainian) flags definitely motivated me to push and to always when I face difficulties in the match. I look at the flag to push and fight more.”

Elina Svitolina upsets Swiatek at Wimbledon.

Elina Svitolina waves to the crowd after her quarterfinal match victory against Iga Swiatek at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Elina Svitolina pulled off an amazing victory at the Championships Wimbledon Tuesday. The Ukrainian was forced to the full lengths against Iga Swiatek winning 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 on Center Court at the All England Tennis Club. It was the first time she defeated the current world number one and the seventh of her career.

The two met in Rome two years ago, and Swiatek went on to win the tournament. The Pole felt what it was like to be in Svitolina’s shoes and then some. The 22-year-old surpassed her round of 16 finish in that same year, ready to fight against the Ukrainian. Both players went the distance against Belinda Bencic, who the number one seed overcame. The 28-year-old defeated her fellow mother Victoria Azarenka, to get back to the last eight. In her quest to be in the semis like she did in 21’, the wild card knew that every trick she had in the book and her support in the stands was necessary to take down the top seed.

Swiatek came out firing hard against the wild card, breaking late in the first and serving to love in the second. The 28-year-old got on the board, avoiding the chance of giving Swiatek a breakpoint. She dug in to try and break to level, but the Pole brought in her net-front presence to deny that opportunity. An error forced Svitolina to deuce, and after two breaks, the Ukrainian had herself level through four.

Swiatek reestablished the break after getting to deuce, watching a return from Svitolina land wide of the tramlines. She backed up the break with a strong hold of serve, doubling the gap on the Ukrainian. Svitolina contained her serve, but her attempts to level went sour after three forced errors at the hands of her opponent. The top seed dominated on serve in the eighth, shoving the scoreline pressure on Svitolina.

Her drop shot strategy in the ninth didn’t go to plan as the world number one handled the challenge. The 28-year-old came back from 0-30, forcing an error by Swiatek on game point to have her try and serve out the set. The top seed suddenly had issues with the serve, giving Svitolina a serve-to-love situation. A double fault sealed it for the wild card, who tied it up, and a shot at serving for the lead.

Svitolina forced errors against Swiatek, reaching game point with ease. On triple set point, the 28-year-old suffered a double fault, getting it done on a forced error by the number one seed. Swiatek served to force a set tiebreak but struggled once more with the serve. Her opponent won 14 of the last 15 points, needing an error from Svitolina to get back control. It was a lone point for the top seed, who handed the Ukrainian set points. A short rally ended with Swiatek hitting one wide on the return to end the first in 57 minutes.

Svitolina won 16 of the last 18 points played in the set, leaving the Pole to go speak with her team about how to recover. She had time to leave the court as the roof was closing due to rain. Swiatek’s second serve was at eight percent, causing a major effect on her game as a whole.

After 15 minutes went by since the last point, Svitolina placed herself to serve Swiatek to love. She won 20 of the last 22 points before the top seed got slightly on track. She held her end in the second, finding something to break the Ukrainian and get back in the lead. She picked up her third win in a row, achieving the momentum Swiatek desperately needed. The 28-year-old denied her opponent a double break and jumped ahead on the score in the sixth. After a third double fault from Swiatek, Svitolina leveled the score, getting back to attacking the Pole’s forehand.

She got the serve to love in the seventh, winning 12 of the last 15 points. Swiatek put together an important victory in the eighth, where she hit the ball away from the Ukrainian. The 22-year-old opened the door to convert the break, but on the key point, she blew it on a forehand error. Another return brought Svitolina to deuce, and after a break, she took the 5-4 lead. The world number one was under pressure to serve out the 10th and stay alive in the match.

The Pole was fortunate to draw errors from Svitolina, getting another error to serve to love. With the score tied, the 11th was a huge game for both players, but the Ukrainian fought through every point to achieve the hold of serve. For the second time, Swiatek had to serve to stay in the match, painting the lines for winners on two points and an error on the next. She aced it for the win, sending them to a tiebreak.

Svitolina and Swiatek won points on the opening serves, but the Ukrainian went on to take the next three straight. The top seed forced a point to sit two down, then a line-drive winner to get within reach. A return winner right at the baseline leveled the score for Swiatek, who then gifted a point back. She nailed another one at the baseline to make it five-all and her 20th forehand winner. A crosscourt winner allowed Swiatek to reach set point, taking the victory on a long ball from Svitolina, sending them to a decider after 1 hour and 13 minutes.

The second serve improved for Swiatek, who attacked consistently, breaking Svitolina and her second serve, which fell to 40 percent. Both reset, with Swiatek serving to start the third. She handled the serve well, then challenged the 28-year-old in the second. Svitolina played hard to defend her service game, needing two breaks on deuce to do it. The Ukrainian added a well-deserved break in the third before holding serve to lead 3-1.

Svitolina scored a double break in the fifth, going for it all back on serve. After a bad drop shot, the Ukrainian marched through the next four points, acing her way to game point. She notched another one to lead 5-1, putting Swiatek in a serious spot. The 22-year-old rushed to 40-0, but an error opened the door for Svitolina to bounce back.

Swiatek stopped her to hold the seventh, staying around for one more game. The 28-year-old served for the match, drawing an error from her opponent. She fired one down the line, then came in near the net to hit a crosscourt winner. A line drive return brought up three match points but double-faulted. She made her second attempt count, watching Swiatek hit one into the net, ending a 2-hour and 51-minute battle.

"It's really unbelievable," Svitolina said during her on-court interview. "I'm really really happy that I got this chance to play here again, and playing this great match in a great atmosphere was an unbelievable feeling for me. I was just fighting, and it was not easy playing against Iga. Obviously, she is the world number one and she is fighting but today was an unbelievable match, and I am happy that I could win this one."

The 28-year-old mother would get a day off before preparing for her semifinal match against Marketa Vondrousova on Thursday. 

Elina Svitolina edges Victoria Azarenka in dramatic three setter at Wimbledon.

Elina Svitolina celebrates her fourth round win against Victoria Azarenka at the Championships Wimbledon.

Elina Svitolina played a dramatic match to the brink, coming out victorious at the Championships Wimbledon Sunday. The Ukrainian played 217 points with Victoria Azarenka that went three sets, with the wildcard winning 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(9) on No. 1 Court at the All England Tennis Club. The comeback that Svitolina achieved from 0-2 down put her in a brilliant placement.

The two met five times, with each result going to the former world number one. The match marked their first on grass, and the way both players performed meant a challenge to the brink. Svitolina handled business against Sofia Kenin, holding the American in straight sets. It came a day after she sped through a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 result against Elise Mertens. Azarenka won both of her previous matches in straight sets, hoping to keep up the streak and make the second week. In a battle of tennis moms, two of the WTA’s popular athletes would swing big for a place in the last eight.

Svitolina had a positive start to her service game, serving Azarenka to love. The 19th seed came out strong as well, giving the Ukrainian a point before leveling the score. Azarenka got a breakpoint in place but couldn’t lock it down. A second chance came for the 33-year-old, achieving the break for the lead. Azarenka attempted to consolidate, but her opponent had other plans to break back. They went to deuce to settle the matter, playing five breaks until Azarenka took a 3-1 lead.

The 19th seed captured the double break, getting herself in a dominant position to control the set. She backed up the action on serve, completing a terrific game point that went 26 shots. Azarenka played for the set, but Svitolina dug in to deny her an easy way out of the set. The 33-year-old served for the set, playing her strategy at the net, that continued to be a success. Reaching two set points, Azarenka kept up the hard service shots that gave her the victory in 41 minutes.

Both had a low percentage from the second serve, but the four double faults that Azarenka committed did not take away from her dominance. She came into the second, adding a break, then backed it up for the two-game lead. Svitolina came charging back, holding the third and breaking Azarenka back to level the score. The Ukrainian found her push to gain the lead from the 33-year-old, backing up the break to hold serve again.

The 19th seed stopped the momentum of her opponent, capturing an important service in the sixth. Svitolina returned to control the set and challenged the former world number one on serve in the eighth. The two played five breaks where Azarenka stopped four breakpoint attempts by the Ukrainian to even up at four-all. Svitolina put together a solid stance on serve in the ninth, pushing hard when Azarenka got on serve.

Though she lost a breakpoint chance for the set, another came after three breaks to give her a chance in the decider. It was an hour-long effort from the Ukrainian, who had things going well from her end of the court. She started the third set, drawing errors from Azarenka, who watched Svitolina win it on an ace. The 28-year-old took a surprising 3-0 run against Azarenka, sitting a break up.

Azarenka stopped her slide in the fourth on a serve to love, then broke Svitolina on an ending with the ball bouncing on the net three times. She got it back across the net to sit a game down after five. Azarenka evened the score on serve in the sixth to consolidate, but Svitolina responded on a serve to love to set out front again. By the eighth, both players remained leveled, but Svitolina remained the strongest, scoring another serve to love.

She put the 33-year-old under pressure on serve to extend the match. Svitolina tried to bring her game near the net, but errors gave Azarenka free points. An error negated a serve to love for the 19th seed, but she held to force the Ukrainian deeper. Svitolina answered to lead 6-5, forcing her opponent to determine her path. The players traded points, with Azarenka reaching a game point in the 11th. A bad crosscourt from Svitolina pushed the two into a tiebreak that would go to 10 points.

It remained a tight contest as eight points split between the two. Azarenka won the next three straight, sitting closer to the goal at hand. Svitolina struck back for two points, then played a long point rally to make it seven-all. Svitolina gained the lead but watched the 33-year-old answer to keep it even. Svitolina played another long point rally to take a 9-8 lead for match point. A nine-shot rally made it nine-all for Azarenka, who had a better position on the court to dictate.

For the tenth point, they went 15 shots until a long return from Azarenka gave Svitolina another match point. The 28-year-old took the victory after 2 hours and 46 minutes, scoring an ace to clinch her spot in the quarterfinal.

Iga Swiatek survives three set thriller at Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek celebrates a point during her fourth round match against Belinda Bencic at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Iga Swiatek narrowly survived a battle on center court at the Championships Wimbledon Sunday. The Polish star went the distance against Belinda Bencic, winning 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-3 at the All England Tennis Club. Gaining a strong footing in the final set allowed the world number one to control her way to making the quarterfinals.

The world number one suffered a loss at the hands of Bencic back at the United Cup, losing in the second set tiebreak. It was the first of three meetings that all took place on the hard court. In their fourth matchup taking place on grass, the Pole carried the leverage of being most successful, remaining flawless on dropped sets. Bencic had worked hard in their last two outings, going the distance against Danielle Collins and slugging along against Magda Linette two days ago. With a taped-up right arm, the Swiss star knew she needed to be at her full potential against Swiatek.

The 22-year-old traded points on serve with Bencic, but managed to hold serve to begin the match. The Swiss struggled to serve with strength, handing Swiatek breakpoints. Bencic saved one, then drew a pair of errors from her opponent to reach deuce. Two shots to the body of the top seed allowed her to contain the serve. Swiatek rushed through the third, then called the trainer to fix the tape on the ankle that she tried doing herself before the match began.

Play resumed with the two players taking the fourth game to deuce, where Bencic held after a break. The Pole continued to speed through her service, notching her second shutout of the Swiss. Bencic was nowhere near close to having the same tactic but continued to hold her end after the sixth game. The top seed scored her third flawless service, biding her time to strike against the 26-year-old.

Bencic put together her best game in the eighth, challenging Swiatek in the ninth to deny her a clean sweep. Sitting a game from the set, Swiatek charged into Bencic’s service, reaching two set points. Errors helped Bencic get to deuce, and another gave her an AD point. Bencic had a bad hold of the racket that killed her chance to get out of the game. She brought together another chance to clinch the tenth on a crosscourt winner.

Swiatek took a 6-5 lead, keeping the scoreboard pressure on Bencic, but the 14th seed eyed a tiebreak on serve. The top seed hit a return long to send them to the brink, where a leader would be determined. Bencic gained serious momentum winning the first four points against Swiatek. The 22-year-old notched one on serve, only to sit four points down on a Bencic winner. The Swiss star reached set point at 6-1, losing it on a forced error. She had four more in her pocket, holding two to get a leg up on the world number one after one hour and six minutes.

Bencic struggled on the first serve, struggling to get the second serve in shape. Swiatek left the court during the set break but returned to open the second set by breaking Bencic. The 22-year-old stepped it up on serve, keeping an edge on the Swiss. Through five games, the world number one remained in the lead, but Bencic was at her heels waiting for her time to surge forward.

The 14th seed turned the tables, breaking Swiatek in the sixth and consolidating to take a 4-3 lead. The 22-year-old didn’t let her gain another, securing the eighth game, but failed to gain leverage. Bencic was back in front after the ninth, playing for a chance to bounce the top seed on serve. Swiatek put together a love service but erred on game point. Her second attempt landed on the baseline to level the score at five-all, forcing Bencic to require more to pull off the upset.

The Swiss star held up her end in the 11th to return the pressure on Swiatek to keep her tournament going. Bencic played every ball and reached match point on a long error from the number one seed. Swiatek saved one on a great return that forced an error, then after a five-shot rally, placed a crosscourt winner. After a break of deuce, Swiatek got through to force a tiebreak and see if she could force a decider.

After a short battle for control, Swiatek found a whole new level of her game, placing beautiful winners to Bencic and jumping out front. The Pole ran away with the control and took the tiebreak 7-2 to finish the set in one hour and eight minutes. The 22-year-old set the bar with a serve to love against Bencic, only to see the 14th seed achieve the same result. Swiatek pressed the issue, taking a break and service hold against Bencic to lead 3-1. The pace slowed in the fifth, but at the end, it was Swiatek pulling away from the 14th seed.

Bencic cut the margin half on serve in the sixth, but it was a mountain to climb back near the business end of the match. The top seed held the seventh to play for the match, but Bencic strung together points to notch a third win in the set. It was on the number one seed to get the job done on serve in the ninth. Edging ahead on serve, the 22-year-old put all the worries aside, reaching match point. A crosscourt that managed to stay on the tramlines gave the Polish star a sigh of relief as she completed a three-hour and two-minute battle.

Elina Svitolina roars to victory against Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon

Elina Svitolina celebates a victory against Sofia Kenin during the third round of the Championships Wimbledon. 

Elina Svitolina roared through the competition to make the fourth round at the Championships Wimbledon Friday. The 28-year-old dominated Sofia Kenin in straight sets, winning 7-6(3), 6-2 on Court Three at the All England Tennis Club. She bounced back late in the first set tiebreak, playing freely to take a two-match series lead on the American.

The two met for the sixth time and the first since 2019 when the Ukrainian took the lead at the WTA Masters. The wildcard remained firm in her efforts to keep playing at the AEC, speeding through three sets against Elise Mertens. The speed of her efforts set her up for potentially her most challenging opponent against the American. Kenin fed off her upset with Coco Gauff and dispatched Wang Xinyu in straight sets. Both prepared for a serious clash, in their first meeting on grass that would spell who had the momentum over the other.

Svitolina opened with a hold of serve, then watched as the qualifier served to love in her sixth match at Wimbledon. She dug in deep in the third, going five breaks against the Ukrainian until she got the break. They went back to serve in the next two when Svitolina broke Kenin to love for a three-all stance. They went back to service holds, taking them all the way to a tiebreak to determine a true leader.

Svitolina took the first pair of points before Kenin struck back with a pair of her own. By the change of ends, both players earned points on serve and a mini-break in hand. It all went one-sided, with Svitolina scoring a second mini-break, followed by two service points. On set point, the 28-year-old clinched the win she waited one hour and four minutes to attain against the American.

“It was good to win that first set,” said Svitolina to the BBC’s Jenny Drummond. “It was a really close one, and I was really happy that I could bounce back after being a break down.” The second serve of Kenin’s along, with her return points, stood out as the difference between the players and how the second would go.

Svitolina made a statement of stepping into the second set with authority, getting into the rallies to break Kenin. The Ukrainian backed up the break on serve in the second, beating down the confidence of her opponent. The American secured the third game on serve, but the wild card went back to work in the fourth and broke Kenin for the second time in the set.

Sitting comfortably on a 4-1 scoreline, Svitolina controlled her service game, placing easy winners across to Kenin. After notching her 21st winner, the 28-year-old got her 22nd to end a rally and sit a game away from the match. Kenin started the seventh game with a second ace before Svitolina answered with a winning return. Kenin scored a pair of redirected shots to keep the hope alive but faced Svitolina’s near-perfect service. The Ukrainian got to three match points in the eighth, winning it all after a four-shot rally capping a terrific performance in 1 hour and 32 minutes.

“I’m just enjoying it,” she said after the match. “I just really appreciate every moment I get on the court, and I wasn’t playing for a year and being at home, but I was looking forward to coming back and to play such an event like Wimbledon.” She’ll face Victoria Azarenka on Sunday, who she has yet to beat. “I’m gonna do everything possible to recover,” said Svitolina about her fourth-round matchup. “It’s always special to play here, and just looking forward to the next one.”

Belinda Bencic delivers knockout of Magda Linette at Wimbledon

Belinda Bencic clcnehes her fist during a third round match against Magda Linette at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Belinda Bencic didn’t have a clean match but made it to the fourth round of the Championships Wimbledon Friday. The Swiss star struggled to consistently dominate but got through in straight sets against Magda Linette 6-3, 6-1 on Court 14 at the All England Tennis Club. Bencic, whose right arm was taped up, struggled to be 100 percent on the day but found a way to dig out the victory.

The Swiss star had a tough time finishing her second rounder, nearly seeing the end come against Danielle Collins. With two wins at the AEC, Bencic avoided an early exit and had her eyes set on making it through to the fourth round. She faced Linette for the first time after the 23rd seed defeated Swiss teammate Jill Teichmann. The Pole went the distance against Barbora Strycova, spending more than three hours on the court. Linette added her first career victory in third-round matches in majors this January, hoping to look for a second against the 14th seed.

The Polish number two opened service, holding Bencic back from a threat of deuce. The 26-year-old opened the gap on serve, only to see errors kill her chance for a clean game. She allowed Linette into the battle, going three breaks until a winner and a forced error made it a one-all start. The pace remained slow as neither player gained a foothold of their serves. The two fought one another on deuce for a third straight, where Bencic clinched the first break of serve.

The Swiss star consolidated in the fourth, despite playing deuce for a third time. Linette remained the only player to have secured a serve in regulation, but in the fifth, Bencic got one herself. The 31-year-old put her game into a higher gear, blanking the 14th seed in the seventh to sit a game behind. Errors from Bencic opened the door for Linette to threaten a break, but a winner helped her force deuce. After a break, the 14th seed contained the serve to widen out to a 5-2 lead.

Bencic got into place perfectly against Linette, who wasn’t putting her best out on court. The 23rd seed went down in a break to love, ending the first in 45 minutes. Despite committing five double faults, the 26-year-old did well on points won from the first serve, winning 81 percent. Both sides of Linette’s game were underwhelming despite having fewer errors than her opponent.

When the second got started, the Polish star got ahead of the Swiss on the score, looking to start things with a break. Bencic defended on deuce, going two breaks before holding Linette back. Bencic picked up the pace to pressure the 23rd seed on the scoreboard, clinching the break and a two-game buffer. The 26-year-old had another challenging service game in the third, but it went to a break before she clinched it.

Bencic took a commanding 4-0 run, playing point by point before gaining the double break. On serve in the fifth, the 14th seed couldn’t get it done in regulation and forced deuce for an AD point chance. The Swiss star made it look easy attaining that feat to take a five-game winning streak, putting all the pressure on Linette to avoid being shut out in the match.

She struggled to find a firm setting, handing the Swiss match points. She managed to save one, then closed the gap with an ace down the center line. A bad slice from Linette brought up a second chance for Bencic, who watched it come straight at her to return to deuce. After three games, an error from Bencic handed Linette the lone victory to keep her going.

Frustration grew inside the Swiss star, who wanted to get it done on serve in the seventh. Bencic gained three more match points, losing her third and the serve to love. On her fourth match point, the 14th seed managed to close it out and make the fourth round after a challenging day on the court that took 1 hour and 26 minutes.

Victoria Azarenka speeds her way into round four at Wimbledon

Victoria Azarenka smahes a forehand shot to Daraia Kasatkina during thier third round match at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Daria Kasatkina had a lot of problems with the service that broke down her efforts at the Championships Wimbledon Friday. The 26-year-old couldn’t keep up with the pace, that Victoria Azarenka brought to the No. 12 court, going down in a 6-2, 6-4 score at the All England Tennis Club. The 33-year-old rushed through the games early in the first and kept the pressure on her opponent to clinch her place in the round of 16.

The 11th seed did well in her second appearance back on center court, beating down Jodie Burrage in straight sets. Kasatkina allowed the Brit two wins in the second round to set up her fourth meeting against the 19th seed. Azarenka notched her first multi-win run of the season after eight consecutive tournaments. Despite her time on court against Yuan Yue, the 33-year-old fared better against Nadia Podoroska, allowing the Argentine three games. Azarenka won every meeting, including Kasatkina’s devastating retirement in Rome three years ago. As sportsmanship sat well between the two, the fight to make the round of 16 was on.  

Azarenka won the right to serve open the match, holding the 26-year-old back from forcing deuce. The 11th seed put on a great display of attacks from her service to remain level early on. She earned breakpoints in the third on flat returns by Azarenka, who delivered the change in scoring on a long return behind the baseline of Kasatkina. The 33-year-old turned it around, in the shape of a break to love in the fourth, sitting even on the score.

After holding serve to gain the lead back, the 19th seed captured the double break in the sixth, jumping ahead two games on Kasatkina. The former world number one got into a great position to win on serve in the seventh but gave up free points to bring the 11th seed to deuce. A great cross-court winner from the forehand brought up the first AD point, placing the next winner out of reach for the 26-year-old.

Leading 5-2, Kasatkina sat on the verge of going down a set in the eighth, suffering errors and two double faults that handed the 19th seed the match lead. It was a 32-minute result in favor of Azarenka, who won four of six from the net and landed 92 percent of her first serve shots. The 11th seed underperformed consistently, and her two double faults didn’t help slipping off the pace.

The 33-year-old was gifted an easy service on three backhanded errors from Kasatkina, who managed to hold serve in the following game. Azarenka worked hard to hold serve in the third and delivered the challenge back to the 26-year-old, who dropped the service. She countered in the fifth with a break back and leveled the score to prevent another runaway by Azarenka. Kasatkina stepped up the offense, achieving a serve to love in the eighth, which kept her in the point.

As they moved into the business end of the second set, Azarenka put together a good hold to attain a slender lead. The 11th seed served to keep the hopes of a decider alive, trying to keep the ball speed slow. Azarenka didn’t want to sit with that pace and pushed Kasatkina to err and bring up a match point. 

A lengthy rally ended with Kasatkina slicing one wide of the tramlines to give the 19th seed the clincher after 1 hour and 16 minutes. Kasatkina had four double faults and a second serve at 31 percent that was not good enough to challenge on the day. Azarenka took her terrific performance to save enough for her match Sunday against the winner between Sofia Kenin and Elina Svitolina.

Elina Svitolina punches third career ticket to round three at Wimbledon

Elina Svitolina serving during her second round match with Elise Mertens at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Elina Svitolina upped her game in a lopsided match at the Championships Wimbledon. The Ukrainian had a beautiful performance against Elise Mertens, who found her moment but couldn’t break through in the decider in a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 score line on No. 3 Court at the All England Tennis Club.  

The two met for the seventh time and first, since 2021, when the Belgian picked up her second victory against the Ukrainian. Svitolina put on a good show at No. 1 Court, taking down veteran star Venus Williams in straight sets. With her sights on Mertens, the 28-year-old prepped for a tough outing against the Belgian. The world number 28 survived a scare in the first set against Viktoria Hruncakova. It put her in a position to vie for a 21st consecutive second-round win in majors. In their first battle on clay, both players have their sights on impressing their supporters to make the round of 32.

Svitolina opened the match but gave up an error to bring it to deuce with Mertens. The Belgian challenged for an early break, but even two winners couldn’t stop the Ukrainian from holding serve. Mertens held the second despite a double fault committed on the second point. Svitolina held her opponent to a point, then went for the break in the fourth on a second double fault from the 27-year-old.

The 28-year-old consolidated the break, holding the fifth and capturing the double break for a commanding 5-1 stand. Mertens struggled with issues on the court, going down quickly by the Ukrainian, earning a shutout for the set that took 23 minutes to complete. Svitolina played the first serve near perfect, missing two points of the 18 from her side. In terms of errors, the Ukrainian recorded one to her opponent’s 10. Mertens suffered issues with her offense but came back on court with urgency.

The Belgian performed better to open the second set, taking charge of her attacks to achieve the hold. She made no errors against Svitolina in the second, taking the break with ease. A pattern arose from Mertens, who controlled beautifully on serve in third, limiting the errors from her service. She drew errors from the Ukrainian, who went from holding solid in the first to bringing little to the action.

By the fifth game, it was all Mertens, who had the double break and another service in hand. Svitolina somehow managed to stop the winning ways of the 27-year-old, putting down two winners to erase a double fault. It didn’t stop Mertens from leveling the match, scoring a shutout on serve with a smash that ended the second in 29 minutes. During the break, Svitolina called the trainer to get eyedrops put in to stop the irritation she dealt with.

When the third got underway, the Ukrainian rose to the occasion, putting down a terrific service. She challenged Mertens on serve in the second, trading points until the break opportunity arrived. The 28-year-old achieved the break, taking control back by drawing errors from Mertens in the third. The Belgian refused to give up another double break to the Ukrainian, getting through the fourth on errors from her challenger.

Svitolina opened the fifth with an ace down the line, fighting through a mixed bag of returns against Mertens, who forced deuce. Remaining focused, the Ukrainian handled the challenges from the 28th seed to take a 4-1 lead. Svitolina denied Mertens a must-hold situation in the sixth game, scoring the break that put her in place to serve for the match. The 28-year-old blasted through her service, gaining the errors that gave her the upset after 1 hour and 23 minutes.

“I’m really pleased with the win today and just really happy that I get another chance to play another match here,” said Svitolina after the match. “On grass, things can happen, so you just have to accept and move on,” she said about how the match went down. “I was playing really good in the first set, and Elise came back really strong, serving good, and just lost my momentum, but in the third set, I tried to move my legs quicker a little bit, and here I am.”

With her third appearance in round three, she’ll take on Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in their sixth matchup since 2019.

Belinda Bencic clears Swan in straight sets at Wimbledon

Belinda Bencic celebrates her win against Katie Swan at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Belinda Bencic bided her time to remain steady and come out with a victory at the Championships Wimbledon Monday. The Swiss star held through the challenges of Katie Swan to win in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 on Court 2 at the All England Tennis Club.

The Swiss star skipped the grass-court run due to a hip injury that wasn’t at full recovery to resume competition. With her last full tournament at Charleston back in April, Bencic returned after three months to see if all was well. The world number 14 wanted to get back into the hunt, facing the British star for the first time. Swan went into ITF tournaments to prepare for her sixth main draw appearance. She played one of three tournaments, making it deep into Surbiton. Having the home advantage, as she did in the tournament, Swan hoped to make the second round for the first time in five years.

Bencic got the match underway, holding serve against the 24-year-old, who followed suit by the same scoreline as her opponent. Bencic upped the ante, allowing Swan a single point before taking the lead in the third. Swan denied the 26-year-old a shot at scoring the first break, maintaining the service. She took her opportunity in the fifth to break the 14th seed, scoring it on a wide forehand error by the Swiss.

Bencic broke back to keep the score even at three-all, consolidating to hold serve and get back in front. The British number six held firm in the eighth, to move them into the business end, with no clear leader in sight. Bencic held serve in the ninth, putting Swan under pressure to do the same or drop the set. Swan chose not to go that route, making it a tug of war for the match lead after ten games. Bencic served Swan to love in the 11th, hoping that she could hold her opponent from forcing a tiebreak.

The two went to deuce in the 12th after Swan stopped a breakpoint, but on her first AD point, the Swiss star got it done to take the first in 54 minutes. Bencic dominated from the second serve, scoring 80 percent while drawing errors from the Brit. The Swiss star got the ball rolling fast in the second set, serving Swan to love. The Brit held serve in the second, maintaining her stance to match the Swiss.

After four holds of serve, Bencic made her move after the fifth. The Swiss set up a breakpoint on Swan’s service, placing a winner to the Brit’s right for the 4-2 lead. Bencic’s attempt to consolidate didn’t come easy, handing Swan points on an error to keep her in the hunt. The two played three breaks on deuce until a long return from the Brit ended the battle. Bencic gained her chance to play for the match in the eighth, widening the gap with three break points. Bencic delivered a forehand crosscourt during a short rally to cap her day in 1 hour and 35 minutes.

“I’m super pleased and of course aware that it was going to be a difficult task,” said Bencic. “I haven’t played in a while and am happy about playing again, and especially here at Wimbledon. It was my first time playing a Brit here, and really nice being back.”

Svitolina wins against Venus Williams in straight sets at Wimbledon

Elina Svitolina in action on No. 1 court against Venus Williams at the Championships Wimbledon. 

Elina Svitolina was a true sportsman against a legendary player at the Championships Wimbledon Monday. Her match against Venus Williams went straight sets, where the Ukrainian won 6-4, 6-3 on Court One at the All England Tennis Club. The opening round saw a scary moment by the American, who nearly saw her 24th appearance end suddenly, but played through in high esteem.

The two met for the fifth time, and the first to occur on grass. Both made their way back to the WTA tour, with neither of them finding success. The Ukrainian had it worse, losing quickly in her opening round at Nottingham. The surface is not Svitolina’s forte despite the semifinal appearance she had in 2019. The American tennis veteran got time to return to action, playing every grass tournament where she was issued a spot. Williams did better in Birmingham, defeating Camila Giorgi in three sets. Since 2020, the 43-year-old notched her sixth win, hoping to do so against the world number 76 on center court.

Williams opened serve with a double fault, giving a hint that the bandage on her right leg would be an issue. She overcame the short deficit to take the offense to Svitolina and hold serve. She tied in a break, bringing the backhand into her attack against the Ukrainian. Svitolina got the break back, but on the last point Williams slipped in her attempt to return. She let out a loud scream throughout the court and remained on the ground for a minute. The 43-year-old got up on her own, and sat on the bench to be checked out by the trainer.

Play resumed after a four-minute break, with Svitolina serving to level the score. She put herself into a love service position, getting the win on a well-placed winner. She consolidated a break in the fifth, watching Williams continue to stay behind the baseline, smacking a return into the net. The 28-year-old held the sixth to take a 4-2 lead as Williams focused on her leg to make sure she was good to continue playing.

The American remained behind the baseline on serve in the seventh, going to deuce with Svitolina, who watched a crosscourt winner land to her left. The Ukrainian sped through her serve in the eighth to play for the set on Williams's service. The American was forced to deuce, where she battled Svitolina to capture the serve and sit a game down. The 28-year-old attempted to serve out the set, but Williams found a way to bring up a breakpoint.

Svitolina served up a smart backhand that was sure to error the 43-year-old and force deuce. Williams countered for a second break chance, but the Ukrainian saved it to bring up a second set point and close out the first in 48 minutes. The American had four double faults and 18 unforced errors, leaving her opponent to bring out her best. The 28-year-old nailed 15 winners and scored on 10 of 12 points from the second serve.

Williams notched another double fault in the second set, but it didn’t deter her from painting beautiful winners down the line. Despite her efforts to hold serve, Svitolina broke into the game to take the game away and attempt to consolidate. The Ukrainian erred to get Williams to deuce, but after a break, Svitolina achieved the hold. Williams found a way to hold serve in the third, despite handing her opponent an early break.

The 28-year-old did well in the fourth to jump ahead 3-1, going for a break to love a chance in the fifth. Williams denied her a shutout, but a double fault made it 4-1 for the Ukrainian. Svitolina backed up the break to stand 5-1 against the American, who served to stay alive in the match. Williams notched a second win in the set, letting Svitolina suffer the errors to the applause of the crowd.

They wanted more time to watch the tennis veteran play, witnessing her break Svitolina. Once the Ukrainian returned to service, she reached match point to see it end on a challenge from the American, who saw Hawkeye call the ball in on the baseline ending the match in 1 hour and 31 minutes.

“It’s always a pleasure to play against Venus,” said Svitolina to Annabelle Croft of the BBC. “I’ve played against her so many times in almost every slam, and it was a really special moment to play on a special court against a legend.” The two played 130 points, with Svitolina the one serving better on the day. “Venus plays really quick,” she said of her opponent. “I had to work really hard for today’s win.”

The 28-year-old awaits the winner between Viktoria Hruncakova and Elise Mertens for the second round on Wednesday.