GEMS rule Margaret Court Arena as Elina Svitolina joins husband Gael Monfils with statement Australian Open win over Jasmine Paolini
WTA
Amid the Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter as well as Anna Kalinskaya and Jannik Sinner of the world, Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina were the original tennis power couple of the modern era and it was GEMS life that provided the glory at the Australian Open on Saturday.
Monfils produced a statement win in a section that already has seen Daniil Medvedev gone to take out Taylor Fritz who would've been thinking it was his time. Until a 38-year-old Monfils who won Auckland two weeks ago and shows no signs of letting up came to town.
Then it was the turn straight afterwards likely with time to watch just after his warm down for Monfils' wife, Elina Svitolina to face off against Jasmine Paolini and it seems that good luck rubbed off on the former World No.3.
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Having reached the Quarter-Finals twice in her career but not since her return to the sport which saw such excellence but also her season ending early in September last year so highs and lows, it was the former today as she defeated the fourth seed 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
It was an epic display from Elina as she showed great guile to get back on level terms then produced a flawless set of tennis to finish it off. She showed great controlled aggression with 13 winners to three unforced errors in the third and ironically given Monfils took out the fourth seed in the men's draw, it was also the same in the women's draw for Svitolina.
It also opens the draw up especially if Elena Rybakina's injury doesn't subside. She had issues with her back during her win and will face either Madison Keys or Danielle Collins in the Last 16. While Svitolina will face Veronika Kudermetova for a spot in the Quarter-Finals meaning that a big chance awaits if Rybakina falls for either Svitolina/Kudermetova and Keys/Collins to make the semi-finals. But for today, the Australian Open belongs to GEMS.
Svitolina with a statement win! 🗣️#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/fb0uXbWgow
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 18, 2025
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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