Svitolina after defeating Pegula at Indian Wells: "I tried to regroup after that tough first set"
Elina Svitolina is still here. The Ukrainian, now 30 years old, qualified in the early hours of Tuesday to Wednesday for the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells by defeating world number four Jessica Pegula (5-7, 6-1, 6-2) in the round of 16.
Despite the rain interruption at the start of the third set, Svitolina stayed focused and managed to qualify for her 21st WTA 1000 quarterfinal, her first in nearly four years (Rome 2021).
In a press conference after her victory against the American, the former world number 3 and 2018 WTA Finals champion shared her thoughts.
"It really wasn't easy today with this weather, the rain. I had to warm up about ten times in total, but well, everyone was in the same boat, and in the end, you have to adapt. I'm very happy with my performance today.
I tried to regroup after that tough first set. I felt like I had opportunities and didn't take them. I got a bit frustrated and then fired up in the second set.
I'm very happy I was able to stay calm after the rain, it was important to stay focused," the Ukrainian said moments after her victory, which is also her third career win against Pegula.
Svitolina also mentioned her husband, Gaël Monfils, who was in the stands to support her. The Frenchman had put up a great fight the day before against Grigor Dimitrov but ultimately lost to the Bulgarian (7-6, 4-6, 7-6).
"Yesterday was an exceptional match, one of the best Gaël has played. Grigor played at an excellent level. The match was very special last night. When I stay up late for these kinds of things, it's my mom who takes care of Skaï (Svitolina and Monfils' daughter)!" she concluded.
