Elina Svitolina’s comeback story keeps finding new chapters. In a compelling fourth-round Australian Open (all AO26 results) clash against teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, the Ukrainian delivered a masterclass in resilience, focus, and controlled aggression.
What began as a test of nerves and momentum swings ultimately became a showcase of Svitolina’s renewed authority — a performance shaped by experience, sharpened by conviction, and finished with unmistakable intent.
Svitolina Weathers Early Pressure, Then Pulls Away
Elina Svitolina absorbed immediate stress to open the set, saving two break points in a gritty first hold before settling into a steadier rhythm. After both players exchanged routine holds to 2–1, the set pivoted sharply when Svitolina converted two break points in Andreeva’s second service game, stretching the lead to 3–1.
From there, the dynamic tilted decisively. Svitolina’s service games grew firmer—even when dragged into deuce—while her return pressure remained constant. She backed up the initial break, then struck again at 3–2 with a clean break that featured no deuce, underlining her growing command in baseline exchanges.
Serving at 4–2, Svitolina negotiated another pressure hold, then immediately forced the issue again on return. By 5–2, Andreeva was facing multiple set points, a reflection of Svitolina’s superior management of big moments. At 5–2 on Andreeva’s serve, Svitolina carved out three set points and converted the last one to seal the set 6–2.
Svitolina vs Andreeva – Set Stats
| Statistic | Svitolina | Andreeva |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.32 | 0.76 |
| Winners | 8 | 10 |
| Unforced Errors | 11 | 18 |
| Serve Rating | 261 | 167 |
| Aces | 2 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 69% (22/32) | 62% (16/26) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 55% (12/22) | 50% (8/16) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 60% (6/10) | 30% (3/10) |
| Break Points Saved | 83% (5/6) | 50% (3/6) |
| Service Games Won | 75% (3/4) | 25% (1/4) |
| Ace % | 6.3% | 3.8% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 3.8% |
| Return Rating | 245 | 127 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 50% (8/16) | 45% (10/22) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 70% (7/10) | 40% (4/10) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (3/6) | 17% (1/6) |
| Return Games Won | 75% (3/4) | 25% (1/4) |
| Pressure Points Won | 67% (8/12) | 33% (4/12) |
| Service Points Won | 56% (18/32) | 42% (11/26) |
| Return Points Won | 58% (15/26) | 44% (14/32) |
| Net Points Won | 50% (3/6) | 57% (4/7) |
| Total Points Won | 57% (33/58) | 43% (25/58) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 7 | 4 |
| Service Games | 75% (3/4) | 25% (1/4) |
| Return Games | 75% (3/4) | 25% (1/4) |
| Total Games Won | 75% (6/8) | 25% (2/8) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 1 |
| Set 1 Duration | 0h36m | |
Svitolina Makes Light Work of Andreeva’s Forehand
Mirra Andreeva flipped the script early in the second set, breaking Svitolina in the opening game and backing it up for a quick 2–0 lead. Svitolina stabilized just in time, saving two break points in a long third game to stop the bleed and keep the set within reach.
The set then turned on returns. Svitolina broke back at 2–2 with firm pressure at 15–40, leveling the contest and pulling Andreeva into longer service games. Andreeva began to look desperate, edging toward a mental unraveling. Svitolina, by contrast, stayed utterly focused and relentlessly targeted the Russian’s forehand. From 3–3 onward, holds became increasingly contested, with both players dragged into extended exchanges and repeated deuce situations.
At 4–4, Svitolina produced her cleanest hold of the set and immediately cranked up the pressure on return. Over the final two games, Andreeva drifted into moonball mode, hanging on by a thread and finding no answer to Svitolina’s aggression and court speed. At 5–4, she faced multiple match points, and Svitolina converted mercilessly.
Svitolina vs Andreeva – Set Stats
| Statistic | Svitolina | Andreeva |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.06 | 0.95 |
| Winners | 8 | 11 |
| Unforced Errors | 10 | 15 |
| Serve Rating | 250 | 220 |
| Aces | 2 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 52% (15/29) | 69% (22/32) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 67% (10/15) | 73% (16/22) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 50% (7/14) | 20% (2/10) |
| Break Points Saved | 67% (2/3) | 50% (2/4) |
| Service Games Won | 80% (4/5) | 60% (3/5) |
| Ace % | 6.9% | 0% |
| Double Fault % | 3.4% | 6.3% |
| Return Rating | 197 | 136 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 27% (6/22) | 33% (5/15) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 80% (8/10) | 50% (7/14) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (2/4) | 33% (1/3) |
| Return Games Won | 40% (2/5) | 20% (1/5) |
| Pressure Points Won | 57% (4/7) | 43% (3/7) |
| Service Points Won | 59% (17/29) | 56% (18/32) |
| Return Points Won | 44% (14/32) | 41% (12/29) |
| Net Points Won | 50% (5/10) | 86% (6/7) |
| Total Points Won | 51% (31/61) | 49% (30/61) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 1 |
| Max Points In A Row | 6 | 10 |
| Service Games | 80% (4/5) | 60% (3/5) |
| Return Games | 40% (2/5) | 20% (1/5) |
| Total Games Won | 60% (6/10) | 40% (4/10) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 2 |
| Set 2 Duration | 0h48m | |
The Mother of Comebacks
In the end, it felt inevitable. The fresher and more composed player on court, Elina Svitolina closed the match with authority. The teenager left the stadium in tears, disappearing down the tunnel after a bruising lesson at the highest level.
She had been beaten by Ukraine’s hero — a mother now, and perhaps playing the best tennis of her career. Calm under pressure, ruthless when it mattered, Svitolina once again showed that experience, resilience, and perspective can be the most powerful weapons of all.
Even Mats Wilander could only marvel: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Svitolina play better than today.” He was right.
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