(Supplied by Tennis World USA)
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina praised Daria Kasatkina’s braveness to publicly condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. On Sunday, Svitolina defeated top-ranked Russian feminine participant Kasatkina 6-4 7-6 (5) within the French Open round-of-16.
Final 12 months, Kasatkina publicly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kasatkina’s public feedback did not sit effectively with some Russian politicians as there have been calls to categorise Kasatkina as “a overseas agent.” “Yeah, positively I acknowledged the match right now.
Actually grateful for her place that she took. Yeah, she’s actually courageous individual to say it publicly, that not so many gamers did. She’s a courageous one,” Svitolina mentioned.
Svitolina has no points with going through Russian, Belarusian gamers
Earlier than beating Kasatkina, Svitolina additionally defeated Russia’s Anna Blinkova.
In each matches, Svitolina did not shake palms along with her Russian opponent. By beating Kasatkina, Svitolina arrange a French Open quarterfinal in opposition to Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka. “Properly, I’ve performed final two matches in opposition to Russian gamers so it won’t change, every part will likely be similar.
So I am used to it now, it is gonna be the identical,” Svitolina mentioned. Svitolina, who gave delivery in October and returned to tennis in April, received Strasbourg earlier than reaching he French Open quarterfinal. “I haven’t got that stress that I used to have earlier than.
In fact, me personally, I put stress for myself as a result of I need to win a Slam. That is the final word aim for me. However positively not the stress from exterior. Nobody expects that I will come into Roland Garros and make quarterfinal at first of the match.
That is why I really feel like this actually helps me. I really feel virtually like I am 17 once more approaching the tour contemporary. I am not defending any factors. Not right here, not subsequent week. Undoubtedly, I really feel extra free,” Svitolina mentioned. Svitolina was out of the top-1000 when she returned to tennis however she is going to return contained in the top-100 after the French Open.
