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Tennis News –
Ukraine's No. 1, Elina Svitolina, spoke exclusively to BTU about her opening win at Indian Wells, her upcoming clash against world No. 14 Danielle Collins, and the support she's receiving from American fans.Elina Svitolina: "Collins plays ultra-aggressive. I'll try everything to keep up and impose my style" - Your first match here was quite nerve-wracking, taking nine match points to finally close it out. You were a bit unlucky not to win in two sets. How do you rate your start in Indian Wells? "Yes, it took me a few match points to wrap it up (laughs). At the end of the second set, the score was really close, and I had a few opportunities to close it there, but she served well, and things didn't quite go my way. Overall, I tried to stay mentally tough, not dwell on those missed match points, and just keep moving forward. I'm glad I managed to stay solid and close it out in the deciding set. For a first match, it was against a strong opponent. Ashlyn Krueger is young but already showing great potential, so I'm happy I played a solid match against such a tough competitor." - There's been plenty of discussion lately about the surface change at Indian Wells. Some say it's faster, others slower, while some haven't noticed any changes at all. What's your take? "Yes, the court surface has changed a bit. To me, it feels slightly slower. You also have to factor in playing at night here in Indian Wells, where conditions tend to slow down even more. Right now, I like this surface, and the balls also feel a bit different. Previously, here in the desert, the balls felt like they were flying off the racquet a lot more; that sensation has significantly decreased now." - You're playing Danielle Collins next in the third round. Considering your head-to-head history, would you call her a tricky opponent? Is there a special preparation routine or just your usual approach? "Yes, I've played Danielle before, and unfortunately, I've lost both times. I know her playing style well, and I'll need to work on specific elements in practice to prepare for her tennis. She plays ultra-aggressively (laughs). It's good I have some extra time to prepare; I'll try everything to keep up with her pace and impose my own style." - During your match against Ashlyn Krueger, it seemed like the crowd supported you quite well. Considering the current political climate involving Ukraine, have you noticed any change in attitude from fans or people around the tournament compared to previous years? "Absolutely, the support on court was amazing. Even before the match, people approached me and shared encouraging words. Many have reached out through social media. To be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised. It's great that people support us and stand with Ukrainians. Right now, that support means so much, and I'm genuinely happy that we're receiving it from different places." |
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