Elina Svitolina was forced to illustrate her fighting spirit to defeat Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-3, in the first round of the French Open.
Tipped by some as a title contender at Roland Garros, the world No.4 only managed to win one out of the first six games of the match against her lacklustre rival. Whose level of play fluctuated as the match progressed. Despite the blip, the Ukrainian No.1 came back fighting by producing 22 winners to 26 unforced errors. A stark contrast to Tomlanjovic’s tally of 21 and 35.
“It was not an easy start. I had to really wake up 100% to bring myself back into the match.” Svitolina said during her on court interview. “Alja was playing some great tennis in the first set and I had to step up my game.”
Heading into the match with a head-to-head record of 2-0 against her opponent, Svitolina was tested from the onset during a roller-coaster 53-minute opening set. Tomljanovic, who is a former top 50 player, looked on course to be causing an upset. The Australian dictated the majority of the baseline rallies early on with the help of some aggressive shot-making to force a string of errors from Svitolina to move to a 5-1 lead.
Svitolina, who won last week’s Italian Open, avoided the upset with the help of Tomlanjovic’s nerves. The Australian had two chances to serve the first set out, but buckled under the pressure. At 5-3, she squandered a set point after producing a double fault. Enabling Svitolina to break back and eventually level 5-5. Continuing her momentum, the fourth seed edged her way to claim the first set. Hitting a forehand deep towards the baseline that resulted in an error from her rival on set point. As for Tomljanovic, she expressed her anger of failing to capitalize on her early lead by smashing her racket on court Philippe Chatrier.
Despite Svitolina’s comeback, she continued to be tested by Tomljanovic. A player whose only victory over a top 5 player occurred at the French Open back in 2014 (Agnieszka Radwanska). Exchanging breaks at the start of set number two, the decisive blow was dealt when Svitolina was leading 4-3. A Tomljanovic backhand into the net rewarded her a duo of break points. She converted her first with a forehand down the line to extend her lead and give herself the chance to serve the match out. A task she achieved with ease with the help of another Tomljanovic error.
“It’s never easy in the first round and you really have to step up your game. I am really happy with the way I played at the end of the first set.” The two-time French Open quarter-finalist evaluated. “To not lose the first set was really important for me and then I was getting better and better.”
Svitolina will play either 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone or Slovakia’s Viktória Kužmová in the second round.
Elsewhere at the French Open, Ekaterina Makarova became the first first main draw winner in this year’s tournament. Makarova, who defeated Angelique Kerber in the tournament last year, defeated China’s Zheng Saisai 6-4, 6-1. Anett Kontaveit also booked her place in the second round with a hard-fought 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, win over Madison Brengle.
