Elina Svitolina started her post-surgery comeback at the Australian Open with a win over Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-4 and will play Caroline Dolehide in her next match.
In what was her first WTA match since the US Open and surgically repairing her foot, the Ukrainian looked pretty well as she was strong on her serve and was also able to play her aggressive game, which resulted in 22 winners.
Also, Svotlina created 12 break point chances and realized three of them en route to sealing the win in just over an hour and a half of play.
A bit interestingly, Cirstea is also just returning from foot surgery – she had the procedure after Wimbledon and today she was playing her second match since kicking off her return in Adelaide last week.
By beating the Romanian, the 28th-ranked Ukrainian kept a perfect record in their head-to-head as it now stands at 4-0.
How Svitolina overcame Cirstea?
The former world No. 5 got off to an outstanding start after claiming back-to-back breaks to win four games in a row and open an early 4-1 lead.
In the sixth game, the Ukrainian missed out on a game point and the world No. 71 managed to get one break back.
However, Svitolina remained unfazed as she routinely held on to her second break to bag the first set.
After clinching the opener, the world No. 28 had a chance to start the second set with a break but failed to convert any of her two break points in the first set.
Through the opening eight games of the second set, the two players were tied to four games apiece.
Then came a marathon ninth game, in which the Ukrainian converted her seventh break point to open a 5-4 lead.
With a chance to serve out for the match, Svitolina delivered and completed the win after realizing her first match point.
Tennis World USA