"No one would be uncomfortable for her to play": Elina Svitolina backed for Australian Open glory by compatriot, Sergiy Stakhovsky

Former Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky believes compatriot Elina Svitolina has the game and ability to win the 2024 Australian Open.

The 29-year old tennis star, who made her return to tennis last summer after taking time off to give birth to her daughter Skai, has been impressive during her comeback. The former World No.3 won a title in Strasbourg upon her return, and defeated World No.1 Iga Swiatek at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. Currently seeded 19th at the Australian Open, Svitolina has breezed through the opening rounds and is yet to drop a set in the tournament.

The retired ATP pro spoke on Svitolina's current form, stating she had all the tools required to lift the trophy in Melbourne.

"Regarding her physical shape, there is no question,” said Stakhovsky in an interview with Sport-Express. “The tournament in Auckland, where Elina reached the finals, confirms this. Svitolina has all the prerequisites to win the Australian Open. Each match, each opponent should be considered separately. I don't see any opponents that Svitolina would be afraid of or could not beat, [no one] who would be uncomfortable for her to play.

“The real question is - for example, the schedule of matches, their conditions. Reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered four sets against the little-known Croatian Dino Prižmić in his first match at the tournament, for example. Did anyone expect this?"

Svitolina defeated Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova 6-1, 6-3 to become the fourth Ukrainian woman to qualify for the Australian Open’s third round, joining countrywomen Lesia Tsurenko, Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska.