Tennis

Elina Svitolina, the former world No. 3 tennis star, has announced that she will undergo foot surgery, ending her 2024 season prematurely. The Ukrainian player has been battling a persistent foot injury since last season, which has significantly impacted her performance and daily life.Svitolina's decision to go under the knife comes after careful consideration and consultation with medical professionals. She hopes that the surgery will resolve the issue that has plagued her for over a year. The injury has not only affected her tennis but also caused back and hip problems."It's become harder to manage and has been impacting me more and more, not just with regard to tennis and training but in my every day life too," Svitolina wrote on social media.The 28-year-old last played at the US Open, where she lost to Coco Gauff in the third round. Despite the early exit, Svitolina had a respectable season, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, finishing runner-up at the WTA 250 in Auckland, and making the fourth round at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.Svitolina's premature end to the season is a disappointment, especially considering her return from maternity leave in April 2023. However, she remains determined to return to the court stronger than ever."I am determined to do whatever it takes to get back on the court and compete at the highest level," she wrote. "I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement during this challenging time. Your love and positivity mean the world to me, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the courts in 2025."Svitolina's injury and subsequent surgery highlight the challenges faced by athletes, particularly those who have recently returned from maternity leave. The physical demands of professional tennis can be unforgiving, and injuries can derail even the most talented players.

Coco Gauff's US Open title defense faced its first significant challenge against former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. Despite dropping the opening set, Gauff rallied to secure a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, extending her Flushing Meadows win streak to 10 matches.Svitolina, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, posed a formidable threat, pressuring Gauff's forehand and breaking her serve in the first set. However, Gauff's resilience shone through as she saved a break point in the second set and seized the initiative with a forehand winner.The American's momentum carried into the decider, where she broke Svitolina's serve twice to establish a 2-0 lead. Svitolina fought back, but Gauff's determination proved too strong. Despite double faulting on her first two match points, Gauff remained composed and sealed the victory with a forehand winner.Gauff's victory sets up an intriguing third-round clash against either Emma Navarro or Marta Kostyuk, both of whom have previously challenged her. The 20-year-old American will be aiming to continue her impressive run and reach the second week of the US Open once again.

Coco Gauff vs. Elina SvitolinaCoco Gauff has cruised through her first two matches at the US Open, but her performances have raised concerns about her serve and forehand. Her opponent in the third round, Elina Svitolina, is a more experienced and consistent player who could exploit Gauff's weaknesses. However, Gauff is aware of the challenge and is determined to avoid giving Svitolina any opportunities.Ben Shelton vs. Frances TiafoeThe US tennis community is eagerly anticipating the third-round clash between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. Both players are in excellent form and have reached the semifinals at the Open in the past two years. Shelton holds a 2-0 record against Tiafoe, but Tiafoe is playing with renewed confidence under his new coach. The match is expected to be a close and entertaining affair, with Shelton's power and Tiafoe's versatility likely to be key factors.Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei PopyrinNovak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin will meet for the third time this year in the third round of the US Open. Popyrin has made significant improvements in his game since their previous encounters, winning his first Masters 1000 title in Montreal. However, Djokovic remains the favorite, with his experience and return skills likely to give him the edge.

Elina Svitolina's journey in Cincinnati has been marked by both unexpected encounters and a newfound sense of tranquility. Despite her initial stay in a modest hotel, Svitolina has grown fond of the city's calm atmosphere, which provides a welcome respite from the hectic tennis circuit.After a challenging first half of 2024 plagued by injuries, Svitolina's fortunes have taken a turn for the better. Following a series of adjustments recommended by new doctors, she has regained her physical strength and returned to form. Her recent performances at Wimbledon and the Olympics have showcased her resilience and determination.Svitolina's decision to part ways with coach Raemon Sluiter and reunite with Andrew Bettles has also brought a fresh perspective to her game. Bettles, who previously worked with Svitolina for several years, has helped her refine her tactics and regain her confidence.With her physical and mental health restored, Svitolina is now looking ahead to the US Open with renewed optimism. She believes that the adjustments she has made will allow her to finish the season strongly and potentially challenge for a Grand Slam title.Svitolina's journey in Cincinnati is a testament to her perseverance and adaptability. Despite facing setbacks, she has remained focused on her goals and found ways to overcome adversity. As she prepares for the final major tournament of the year, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Elina Svitolina, the courageous Ukrainian tennis star, has been chosen as the flag bearer for her country at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This honor holds immense significance for Svitolina, who has consistently used her platform to advocate for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Svitolina has been a vocal supporter of her homeland. Through her foundation, she has provided vital medical and humanitarian aid in collaboration with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's United24 initiative. Additionally, her foundation has taken over the management of the Ukrainian team at the Billie Jean King Cup, helping them reach the World Group Qualifiers stage for three consecutive years.Svitolina's selection as flag bearer is a testament to her unwavering patriotism and her commitment to inspiring her fellow Ukrainians. She has become a symbol of hope and resilience, bringing moments of joy and pride to her countrymen during a challenging time.As the second highest-ranked Ukrainian tennis player, Svitolina has been a leading voice on the WTA Tour. She has consistently spoken out against the war and has used her platform to raise awareness about the plight of her people.Svitolina's journey to the Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. She won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and will be competing in her third Olympics in Paris. Her determination to represent her country on the world stage is a reflection of her unwavering spirit and her belief in the power of sports to unite and inspire.Svitolina's selection as flag bearer is a fitting tribute to her exceptional athleticism, her unwavering patriotism, and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the world. She will undoubtedly carry the Ukrainian flag with pride and honor, inspiring her fellow athletes and bringing hope to her countrymen.

Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina, two formidable players with contrasting motivations, will clash in a highly anticipated Wimbledon quarterfinal. Rybakina, the tournament favorite, has been in impressive form, while Svitolina has drawn inspiration from her role as a representative of war-torn Ukraine.Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, possesses a powerful serve and all-around strength that will be amplified on grass. Svitolina, ranked 17 spots lower, will need to dig deep and rely on her emotional connection to her country to overcome the odds.In the men's draw, Novak Djokovic, the 21-time Grand Slam champion, will face Alex de Minaur, a speedy and agile Australian. Djokovic's experience and superior groundstrokes will likely prove too much for De Minaur, who has never reached a Grand Slam semifinal.Taylor Fritz, the 13th seed, will take on Lorenzo Musetti, an unseeded Italian who has quietly reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Fritz's serving prowess and experience will be key against Musetti, who possesses a tricky mix of spins.Fritz acknowledges the pressure of being the favorite for the first time in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, but he remains confident in his abilities. Musetti, despite his impressive grass-court season, will face an uphill battle against Fritz's power and consistency.

Ons Jabeur's Wimbledon woes continued on Saturday as she suffered a heartbreaking 6-1, 7-6(4) defeat to Elina Svitolina in the third round. The Tunisian, who reached the final in 2021 and 2022, was left to rue missed opportunities as she crashed out of the tournament in her earliest exit since 2018.Jabeur started brightly, earning a break point in Svitolina's opening service game. However, the Ukrainian held firm and broke Jabeur in the next game to take an early lead. Svitolina continued to dominate, winning the first set in just 25 minutes.The second set was a more competitive affair, with Jabeur fighting back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2. The Tunisian had a chance to take the set at 6-5 up on Svitolina's serve, but her forehand down the line fell just wide. Svitolina seized the opportunity and broke Jabeur to force a tiebreak.In the tiebreak, Svitolina raced into a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Jabeur saved two match points, but a backhand error on the third gave Svitolina the victory.The defeat was a bitter blow for Jabeur, who had been hoping to make history by becoming the first Arab woman to win a Grand Slam title. However, she will have to wait at least another year to fulfill her dream.Svitolina, meanwhile, will face China's Wang Xinyu in the fourth round. The Ukrainian is in good form and will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

The Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt witnessed a thrilling encounter between Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki, which was unfortunately suspended due to darkness. Svitolina was leading 3-6, 7-6 (4), 2-1 when the match was halted.The match began with Wozniacki taking the first set, but Svitolina fought back to win the second in a tiebreaker. In the deciding set, Svitolina broke Wozniacki's serve and was on the verge of extending her lead when the match was suspended.Svitolina and Wozniacki have a long history, having faced off five times before their respective maternity leaves. Svitolina holds a 4-1 advantage in their head-to-head record.Both players returned to action last summer, with Svitolina reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while Wozniacki reached the second week of the US Open. However, injuries and inconsistencies have plagued both players since the start of 2024.Svitolina has been struggling with a back injury since returning to play, while Wozniacki has faced stamina issues. Wozniacki was not offered a wild card into Roland Garros, and she lost in the first round of the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham.Svitolina was playing her first match since losing in the fourth round of Roland Garros, and she struggled early against Wozniacki. However, she found her rhythm in the second set and forced a tiebreaker.In the tiebreaker, Svitolina took an early lead and converted her first set point with a searing forehand putaway.The third set began with Wozniacki threatening to break Svitolina's serve, but Svitolina dug out of a 0-30 deficit. However, Wozniacki suffered a fall and grabbed her left hip, leading to an off-court medical timeout.After the timeout, Wozniacki returned to the court but was unable to prevent Svitolina from breaking her serve. The match was then suspended due to darkness.The match will resume on Center Court Tuesday, with Svitolina looking to close out the victory and advance to the next round.

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable victory over Elina Svitolina in the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia showcased her newfound mastery of the drop shot. Despite facing adversity throughout the match, including an erratic start, a lower back problem, and three match points, Sabalenka's resilience and tactical brilliance prevailed.In the opening set, Svitolina seized the early advantage, breaking Sabalenka's serve and dictating the pace with her powerful forehand. However, Sabalenka's determination shone through as she fought back with a series of well-executed drop shots. These delicate shots forced Svitolina to scramble behind the baseline, disrupting her rhythm and creating opportunities for Sabalenka to attack.As the match progressed, Sabalenka's back flared up, causing her to decelerate on her serve. Svitolina attempted to capitalize on this weakness, but Sabalenka's unwavering spirit and the support of the crowd spurred her on. She continued to employ the drop shot effectively, using it both as a defensive tool and a means to set up her powerful forehand.In the third set, Sabalenka's drop shot proved to be the decisive factor. She used it to break Svitolina's serve at a crucial moment, moving ahead 4-2. Svitolina fought back, breaking back at love, but Sabalenka's resilience and determination ultimately proved too much.In the tense tie-break, Sabalenka faced three match points but refused to give up. She saved the first two with powerful serves and the third with a stunning forehand return. With the momentum on her side, Sabalenka closed out the match with an imposing forehand return that forced Svitolina to net her final backhand.Sabalenka's victory is a testament to her growing maturity and tactical awareness. Her ability to adapt to the challenges of the match and execute the drop shot with precision and effectiveness has elevated her to the forefront of the women's game. As she advances to the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face a formidable opponent in Jelena Ostapenko, but her newfound confidence and mastery of the drop shot will make her a formidable contender for the title.