After a slow start, Elina Svitolina took control of her match against Belinda Bencic and claimed a 4-6 6-4 6-0 win at Roland Garros.
The seventh seed has carried on her momentum from Rome and secured a big three set win over Bencic.
It was a quick start from Bencic but the 11th seed ran out of gas towards the end of the match in order to equal Svitolina’s quality.
As for Svitolina, the seventh seed has now set up an all-Ukrainian quarter-final with Marta Kostyuk.
It was Bencic who started the more aggressive and had the more quality when it mattered most in the big points.
Although Svitolina did well to deny Bencic in the early exchanges, the Ukrainian couldn’t deal with Bencic’s dropshots and mixture in variety and power.
The 11th seed stormed through the next four games to take a 5-2 lead as she outpowered Svitolina in the baseline exchanges.
There needed to be a change in approach from Svitolina and as Bencic got tight and nervy, Svitolina started to dictate the points on her terms.
A break back saw Svitolina restore some order as she lengthened the rallies and put Bencic under pressure.
However, Bencic resisted the pressure coming from Svitolina and the 11th seed took the opening set 6-4.
Despite Bencic taking the opening set, momentum was with Svitolina who broke in the fourth game with some immaculate backhands after saving break point in the previous game.
What Bencic had in the opening set was unpredictable variety and unique power at the right times.
However, Svitolina was now starting to read the patterns of play successfully and Bencic’s serving was becoming a little bit too predictable.
Bencic did well to save three more break points in the sixth game but ultimately fell short when it mattered most.
There was a lifeline when Svitolina threw in some sloppy errors as Bencic broke back in the ninth game.
However, Bencic offered nothing different on serve and Svitolina comfortably broke back to seal the second set.
After that it was one-way traffic as Svitolina offered some simply ridiculous defensive shots to break Bencic’s game and her spirit.
A simply clean and precise six game from Svitolina as she cruised through the final set and booked her place in the last eight.
It’s disappointment for Bencic who had her best ever Roland Garros campaign but can hold her head high.
However, Svitolina will believe that this is her best chance to win a Grand Slam and now takes on compatriot Marta Kostyuk on Tuesday.
