Elina Svitolina has won her first WTA title on clay since 2015 after defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4, in the final of the Istanbul Cup.
Svitolina, who has already defeated Angelique Kerber twice this season, got off to an emphatic start in the final by strolling to a 5-0 lead. Former top-10 junior player Mertens managed retrieved one of the breaks to prevent a bagel set, but it has little impact on its outcome. A much closer encounter followed in the second set with numerous exchange of breaks. Twice Svitolina broke to extend her lead before being pegged back by the Belgian. Despite the roller coaster, Svitolina held her nerve to prevail in straight sets.
“This was a very special week as it has been two years since my maiden clay-court title.” Svitolina said after the match.
Istanbul is Svitolina’s third title of the season after Taiwan and Doha. She is the first player this season to win three WTA titles on the tour. As a result of her latest triumph, the 22-year-old lies sixth (fifth without Serena Williams) in the race to the WTA Finals in Singapore. Only eight players will qualify for the year-end extravaganza. Despite the promising start to the season, Svitolina is keeping grounded about her form.
“It’s not even halfway through the season! I don’t want to put any pressure on myself. It’s the goal to qualify for Singapore, but I’d also be happy to finish the year Top 15, because I’m happy on the court with myself and my game.” She told wtatennis.com.
This week has seen the top seed drop just one set on route to her seventh WTA title. Whilst the results point to a strong Svitolina performance, the Ukrainian has her own reservations about playing on a surface that had brought her injuries in the past.
“Last time I played on clay, I got injured in the early part of the season, so it was difficult for me to come back on this surface and trust my body and my legs. This year, I prepared better, took more time off, and I was very happy that physically, I could make it through this week.” She said.
“Clay is very tough, and it can kill your body if you’re not prepared.”
Svitolina will rise to 12th in the WTA rankings on Monday, two places adrift from her career high.
