Elina Svitolina believes she is close to her best form after storming into the second round of the French Open on Sunday.
The 13th-seeded Ukrainian dropped only two games during her 6-1, 6-1, win over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez. Extending her perfect record in opening matches played at Roland Garros to 12-0. Overall, Svitolina has won 34 out of her last 35 first round matches played at Grand Slam tournaments.
“It was a good match from my side,” Svitolina said of her latest victory.
“I felt I played well. From the beginning, it was important to be focused. I was happy I could perform well from the first until the last point.”
The in-form 30-year-old comes into the tournament having won 12 out of 14 matches played on the clay this year. She won her 18th WTA title at the Rouen Open in April before reaching the semi-finals in Madrid and then the last eight in Rome.
Given her recent results, Svitolina is closing in on her goal of returning to the world’s top 10. She has been ranked as high as third in the world but the last time she was in the top 10 was in 2021.
“I have all the experience from previous years,” said Svitolina.
“I feel like I’m striking the ball bigger. My serve is working pretty well.
“At that time (when she was ranked third in the world) I felt physically I was really tough. Now I feel I have bigger strokes.
“The most important thing I have, and I feel it is a good thing that I have, is all the experience from previous years being on the top of the women’s game.
“I’m not so far from the top 10. That’s my goal for this season.”
Svitolina is a four-time quarter-finalist at the French Open. She will next play Hungary’s Anna Bondár on Wednesday.
