Elina Svitolina has felt love of US people in aftermath of fractious Trump-Zelensky meeting as Indian Wells heroics continue

Elina Svitolina has felt the love of the American people she admits after she saw off Jessica Pegula to move into the Quarter-Finals at Indian Wells. This due to the fractious meeting that initially cut off the US support for Ukraine.

Svitolina said that she has received a huge outpouring of support after the meeting that saw players like Svitolina fear for their return to the desert. What has often been a safe haven for Ukrainian players since the war broke out, Trump and Zelensky failed to reach a deal during their last visit.

But now they agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv said that it was ready to support Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.

Svitolina will next face a Russian in Mirra Andreeva who despite her rise has faced criticism in the past for liking pro-Putin material with Dayana Yastremska lodging a complaint to the WTA. But she has remained steadfast in terms of explaining her own views.

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Either way she will not get a handshake from Svitolina as that continues. But it will likely buoy Svitolina who again reaches another new lease of life in California. After confirming her doubts pre tournament about what it will be like to play in Indian Wells after the meeting, she said that it has been the opposite in practice with Americans showing their support even if Trump doesn't.

"I feel like since that meeting in the Oval Office, I got a lot of messages of support from the American people and a lot of people here when I arrived at the tournament, giving love and support to Ukrainians for people back at home," she added.

"Also the massive support that I got taking in consideration that I played three American girls back-to-back. It's amazing, really special to get that, taking into consideration all the stress that all Ukrainians are facing right now back at home."

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