Ukrainian tennis players Svitolina and Kostiuk triumph in Miami WTA 1000 second round
Photo: Reuters
Ukrainian tennis stars Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostiuk claimed victories in the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami, defeating Swiss player Belinda Bencic and Australian Kimberly Birrell, respectively. Notably, Bencic had eliminated Dayana Yastremska earlier in the competition.
Suspilne Sport and Champion reported this.
As noted, Svitolina and Kostiuk started the tournament in Miami in the second round:
- Elina began with a match against Dayana Yastremska's offender, Swiss Belinda Bencic, whom she defeated in two sets. Svitolina won in 1 hour and 13 minutes with a score of 6:1, 6:2;
- Kostiuk defeated Australian Kimberly Birrell in a three-set confrontation.
- Svitolina dominated from the outset, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead. Bencic was only able to secure one game in the first set.
- The start of the second set was tense, with Svitolina saving two break points at 1-1. Shortly after, Bencic lost her serve at 40-0, allowing Svitolina to win the match with skillful play.
Svitolina served consecutively four times, recorded two double faults, and achieved five breaks. Her opponent delivered three aces, with one service fault, and failed to convert any of her three break opportunities.
Elina Svitolina (22, Ukraine) – Belinda Bencic (45, Australia) 6:1, 6:2
Photo: Instagram / tennis.ukraine
This marked the fifth encounter between the rivals, with the Ukrainian leading 3-2. In the next round, Svitolina will face Czech player Karolina Muchova, who is seeded 14th.
The pivotal moment in the first set between Kostiuk and Birrell came in the 11th game, where the Ukrainian gained a 5-5 advantage and quickly secured the set with a 7-5 win.
The second set ended with the Australian's victory. They took the lead in the ninth game and later closed the game—6:4.
Kostiuk led the decisive set, making a 5:1 breakthrough at the beginning of the game. However, the Ukrainian tennis player needed three more attempts to serve.
Kimberly Birrell (Australia) – Marta Kostiuk (Ukraine, 23) – 1:2 (5:7, 6:4, 3:6)
Photo: Associated Press
For Kostiuk, this is the first appearance in the third round of the competition in Miami in her career. In the third round, Marta will face "neutral" Anna Blinkova. The matches are scheduled for Monday, March 24.
For reference:
The Ukrainian national team played the first playoff match with the Belgian team in the UEFA Nations League and won with a score of 3:1.
Also, the Ukrainian futsal team defeated France in the match for third place at the World Cup. Ukrainians became bronze medalists for the first time in history.
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