“Couldn’t Find My Focus”: Elina Svitolina Reflects on Her Unexpected Exit From Australian Open 2021

Former World No. 3 Elina Svitolina made a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open 2021. She lost to American tennis player Jessica Pegula. The match ended 6-4 3-6 6-3 in Jessica’s favor after an hour and 55 minutes. During the match, the first-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist hit 31 winners past her opponent. 

After the match, Elina felt that she didn’t play up to her mark. She sensed it wasn’t a good day and hit way too many errors. However, she insisted that her opponent played well on the other hand and was able to find her rhythm during the crucial stages of the match. 

Elina Svitolina: “It Was Tough for Me To Find My Rhythm”

The two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist said, “It was not a good day for me today. I was making way too many errors and it is tough to pick why it was like this, it was a mixture of things. I think she also played quite well today. It was tough for me to find the rhythm because she was playing well at the first set and not very well in the second and then she came back and I didn’t feel good today on the court.”

Svitolina was disappointed because she played well during the tournament and stated that nothing went right for her today. She highlighted that she was unable to focus on the important stages of the match.

Elaborating further, Elina added, “It’s disappointing because I’ve been playing good and I feel it was that kind of a day where nothing was going my way. A little bit physically but I also think in general I couldn’t find my focus and couldn’t push through some points. I was making way too many errors. It was a lack of focus and a kind of distraction.” 

After knocking out Elina Svitolina, the American player Jessica Pegula will take on her compatriot and World No. 24 Jennifer Brady in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open 2021. 

Also Read: Serena Williams vs Simona Halep Australian Open 2021 Quarter-Finals: Preview, Prediction and Head-to-Head