Svitolina and Radwanska Day 5 Recap and Round 3 Preview

At the beginning of the French Open the women’s draw was deemed so open that no one was able to predict a winner. Rest assured, the nature of the draw is such that as players get eliminated an eventual winner does arise. Who knows, it may just be Elina Svitolina.

Svitolina vs. Pironkova

Elina Svitolina managed to survive a tough second round match against Pironkova, somehow pulling through in three sets 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. With no previous encounters and Svitolina trying to prove her worthiness as a true Grand Slam contender against a hardened veteran, the match was sure to be an interesting one.

Pironkova started out strong. It seemed like she had prepared herself for this meeting and she used her strong clay court game, touch and change of pace to through Elina off her groove. It took Elina the first and most of the second set to find her game against the No. 77 in the world. While Svitolina was often frustrated with herself, Pironkova was able to keep her calm.

In the third game of the first set Svitolina was facing two break points which she saved with a forehand winner, and then an ace. This slight chink in the armor though, was the first indication that this match was going to be a tough one. If nothing else, these early chances to break would  contribute to Pironkova’s confidence and Svitoliona’s growing frustrations which she would quell deep in the second set, and throughout the third.

Pironkova’s serve was consistent and strong, and she managed to break Elina in the seventh game of the set due to a net cord, only further feeding Svitolina’s frustration. Pironkova would then go on to win her service game 40-0, and in the return game had two set points, which she converted at her first opportunity.

The second set was an exhibition of smart play. Elina would somehow manage to regroup, maybe due to support of the crowds who were wildly chanting both players’ names, and would break Pironkova in the first game of the second set. From there on till 3-2, neither player managed to hold their own service games. The tension was mounting. Svitolina manged to hold making it 4-2. Pironkova manged to hold as well, making it 4-3. At this point it was crucial for Elina to hold her serve, and she did, proving she has the makeup of a future champion. Elina would then go on to win the second set 6-3 after converting her second set point.

By the start of the third set, Svitolina had understood Pironkova’s style, and knew exactly when to attack and go for her shots, a skill that is invaluable when you are playing an opponent who is changing the pace and spin of the ball, much like Pironkova was doing. Svitolina was up 3-0 in the blink of an eye. Pironkova would break, but Elina would break back, and finally convert the second of her two match points.

“We were both returning well, putting pressure on each other’s serve. This was not really what I was expecting,” said Elina in her post match interview. “I did today what I had to do. In the first set I was struggling with my movement. The second and third set were not easy, but I think I was ready with my game at the important moments. What worked well today is that I waited for the right ball to go for my shots.”

“In the end, I was very, very happy that I could find the way to win the second set, and then find my game again.”

While many people were questioning Svitolina’s ability to handle pressure and expectations, Elina seems to have her nerves under control. “It was my confidence that brought me the victory because if I had been struggling a little bit with confidence, it would have been really tough, because, you know, she was striking the ball really well. I just tried to stay calm and build my way into the match and find my game, and I think I did really well.”

Svitolina now goes on to play Magda Linette. The two have never played before, but considering the way that Elina has been playing, and Linette’s mediocre season on clay, this shouldn’t be too hard for Svitolina.

While Alison was the more aggressive one during the match, with Radwanska struggling to return her array dropshots and spinning kick-serves, Radwanska would soon find her way around the change of pace and power, and eventually winning the match in 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Radwanska says that she has been spending a lot of time resting, but that instead of hurting her game, she feels that it has been positive in some ways. “Well, there is always something there, but it’s much better. I feel 100 per cent on court. That’s the most important thing. Of course I still need to take care of the foot a lot.”

“After a couple of weeks of struggling with my health and not much of a practice, every match win is important,” says Radwanska as she faces Alize Cornet in the next round.

The head to head is 7-1, with Radwanska in the lead. Most of the matches they played were on hard court, and with Radwanska struggling with her injuries and her game, this could turn out to be a tough match.

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