Ukrainian star Svitolina storms into Dubai semifinals after comeback
Elina Svitolina (photo: Australian Open)
Ukraine’s top tennis player and world No. 9 Elina Svitolina reached the semifinals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai (UAE), defeating the event’s biggest surprise, Croatia’s Antonia Ružić.
WTA 1000, Dubai – Quarterfinal
Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) – Antonia Ružić (Croatia) – 4:6, 6:2, 6:3
Before the match
Svitolina began her Dubai campaign in the second round, where she defeated Paula Badosa (WTA No. 70). The Ukrainian won the first set 6:4 after coming back from 1:4, and Badosa withdrew before the second set. Next, Svitolina faced another experienced opponent — Switzerland’s Olympic champion Belinda Bencic (WTA No. 13). After losing the first set, the Ukrainian confidently turned the match around to win 4:6, 6:1, 6:3.
Meanwhile, Ružić (WTA No. 63) started in Dubai from qualifying, where she lost in the semifinal but entered the main draw as a lucky loser. She then produced a series of impressive wins. First, she defeated Britain’s Emma Raducanu (6:1, 5:7, 6:2), then beat Anastasia Zakharova (6:1, 6:7, 6:1). In the round of 16, she faced world No. 3 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. At 5:7, 6:4, 1:0, her opponent retired from the match.
How the match unfolded
Svitolina made a slow start. In the first set, Ružić dominated, leading 2:0, 4:1, and 5:2. Svitolina lost two service games and was close to dropping a third but saved a set point at 3:5. However, Ružić closed out the set 6:3.
In the second set, Svitolina dropped one service game but broke her opponent three times, which proved decisive as she won 6:3.
The third set was challenging for both players. The turning point came in the sixth game, when Svitolina broke Ružić to take a 4:2 lead. From there, she maintained control and sealed the victory. The match lasted just over two hours.
What’s next
Svitolina has now reached her 13th career WTA 1000 semifinal. It will also be her fifth semifinal appearance in Dubai, and she will attempt to reach the final there for the third time.
In her next match on Friday, February 20, Svitolina will face world No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States. In four previous meetings, they have each claimed two victories. Their most recent clash came in January in the Australian Open quarterfinals, where the Ukrainian emerged victorious.
