Elina Svitolina Reaches Second Straight Major Semifinal with Win Over Johanna Konta at US Open
(September 3, 2019) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – No. 5 Elina Svitolina is into her second straight major semifinal. The Ukrainian beat Johanna Konta of Great Britain 6-4, 6-4 to make the US Open final four for the first time. She reached the Wimbledon semifinal in July, where she lost to eventual champion Simona Halep.
”I don’t think that I was expecting going into this tournament that I’m going to make semis,” admitted Svitolina. “I’m just taking one match at a time, not rushing so much of the results or what should have or could have happened.
“It’s a Grand Slam. There is lots of pressure, lots of expectations from people, from media probably. But you also put lots of pressure on yourself.
“You have to just go out there, do your job and don’t think too much what’s going on around you, and who handle it the best wins.”
“I have played her three times or four, I think,” said the 16th seeded Konta. “Haven’t beat her yet. I do feel that was the probably the best I felt her play against me. She played so well, to be honest.
“Actually, I didn’t play badly at all. I actually felt like I was doing a lot of good things out there, a lot of the right things.
“She just made me play that extra ball,” Konta added. “It’s frustrating. You know, I would have loved to have come through that and come through a challenge like her, but I guess it will just have to be next time.”
Svitolina’s boyfriend, ATP player Gael Monfils, who is in the quarterfinals, was in attendance to cheer on his girlfriend.
She talked about their practices together in her news conference.
“He’s hitting pretty strong and very heavy,” she said.” So I think definitely it helps me to practice with him.
“But, you know, I need to find a balance, as well, between his shots, because if I only practice with him, I’m going to be only in defense most of the time, and that’s not so good, either. So I have to find balance when I’m training with him also train with my coach, you know, to do the attacking shots, as well. It helps, but, you know, I have to adjust, as well.”
“I’m very, very happy the way I handled the pressure today,” Svitolina said.
Svitolina will play six-time champion Serena Williams for a spot in the final.
On possibly playing Williams, Svitolina said: “Definitely it’s a big challenge to play against her. I mean, doesn’t really matter who I’m going to play in semifinal. Is a challenge.
“Person who reach the semifinal is playing well. It’s something that you have to bring your best game to beat them. Doesn’t matter who is going to be in the semifinal.
“But obviously Serena is amazing champion. Probably it’s going to be really tough against her.”
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