WATCH: Elina Svitolina jokes her daughter Skai gave her tips on how to beat Victoria Azarenka

Shahida Jacobs 01 Aug 2023 7:40 AM

Elina Svitolina made it back-to-back wins against Victoria Azarenka as she won their opener at the Citi DC Open and then gave credit to her daughter for her improved record against the former world No 1.

Just a month after Svitolina won a thrilling fourth-round encounter against Azarenka at Wimbledon, the Ukrainian picked up another victory against the two-time Australian Open champion at the WTA 500 event on Monday.

Whereas the Wimbledon clash went the distance before Svitolina won via a third-set tie-breaker, their latest encounter was wrapped up in two sets with the final scoreline 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 after one hour and 47 minutes.

Azarenka, though, still has a healthy lead in the duo’s head-to-head as she is 5-2, but Svitolina has now won both matches since returning to the WTA Tour in April having given birth to her first child, a daughter named Skai, last October.

During the post-match on-court interview, Svitolina was asked about her recent success against the Belarusian and replied: “Well, Skaï told me a few tips I guess.”

Svitolina after beating Victoria Azarenka in Washington

Rennae Stubbs: “Before having a child, you were 0-5 against Azarenka.. now you haven’t lost to her. What happened?”

Elina: “Well, Skaï told me a few tips I guess” 😂 pic.twitter.com/6jrsOi6k4M

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 1, 2023

After eight breaks of serve in the opening set, Svitolina controlled the tie-breaker to go one-set up. But both players again struggled on serve in the second set as it had nine breaks of serve. Svitolina won the set – and ultimately the match – on account of holding her serve in game five.

“It was really up and down,” Svitolina said. “Just have to try to focus every point, try to find your game again. Just try again and try again to come back into the match.”

There was once again no handshake after the match with Svitolina and other Ukrainian players opting not to shake the hands of Russian and Belarusian players due to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine in February 2022.

However, this time there was a message on the scoreboard to inform spectators about the no-handshake policy.

Players were booed at the French Open and at Wimbledon as spectators appeared to be confused about the reason for the no-handshake policy. However, the WTA has opted to take the educational route with scoreboard messages.

“Stepping on court & seeing so many flags, it really makes you want to cry. It definitely motivated me today to push,” the former world No 3 said. “When I faced difficulties in the match, I look at the flag. It motivates me even more.”

Up next is fifth seed Daria Kasatkina, who beat Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5.