By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine pulled off the biggest win of her career by upsetting top seed Serena Williams at the Summer Games.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
For top seed Serena Williams, the road to perhaps another Olympic gold medal ended abruptly in a surprise loss at the Summer Games in Rio.
For young Elina Svitolina of Ukraine however, the dream continues even though she still can’t believe she pulled off the upset win.
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“One of my dreams was to play against her,” Svitolina said right after the win to NBC. “To beat her, I don’t think I was even dreaming about that.”
Williams, the 2012 London Games gold medalist, entered the third round singles match having never lost to Svitolina in their previous meetings. That included a 6-1, 6-1 drubbing earlier this year at the French Open.
But right from the opening game, it was apparent Williams was struggling as she started out sluggish and lacking emotion. While this has been the case in many matches from the World No. 1 over the years, Williams seemed to struggle even more so to get her trademark power game going when she needed it most.
Both players traded early service breaks. Williams, who failed to get her big serve going, managed to squeeze out another service break to move ahead 3-2. But a string of errors from Williams forced to her hand back the break to her opponent.
Svitolina, not overwhelmed by the moment. enjoyed an easy service hold for 5-3.
It was the next game that finally saw Williams show more emotion. After hitting a volley winner, she fist pumped in an effort to get herself fired up. Williams banged down a big serve for 5-4 and thus put the pressure on Svitolina to serve out the set.
Svitolina answered with another solid service game, including striking an ace out wide to take the set 6-4.
When Williams held serve with ease to open the second set, it felt like the momentum would swing in her favor.
Yet the World No. 20 Svitolina proved she was up for the challenge by staying consistent from the backcourt, using good point construction, before finally finishing off points for a winner.
Williams, after hitting an overhead, grabbed at her shoulder and appeared to wince in pain. Later in the third game, Svitolina with a fast forehand return winner broke Williams to take a 2-1 lead.
Despite going up 3-1, Svitolina showed the first sign of nerves later as she tried to extend her lead. Facing a break point, Svitolina tossed in a double fault to help Williams level the match at 3-all.
Williams simply couldn’t find enough ways to hit winners past the speedy Svitolina. As errors from Williams mounted, all Svitolina had to do was keep the ball in play. In a pivotal seventh game that was all about Williams, the top seed hit two aces but then also five double faults as she struggled with her serve.
Down the stretch, Williams began having trouble even getting balls over the net. Four strraight errors from Williams allowed Svitolina to hold serve at love for 5-3.
In the final game, Williams fell behind 0-40 on her serve. Williams battled to save the first two match points against her. But she couldn’t save a third as she floated a forehand wide.
With that, a surprised and happy Svitolina celebrated the 6-4, 6-3 win and the biggest victory of her career.
“The feeling was unreal. I still can’t believe the match went for me. I mean it was so mixed feeling. I was trying to be focused. She is great player and has great experience and has come back from some amazing matches. In the end it was point by point.”
“She played unbelievable today. I've never seen her play this good. She hardly made any errors. She did a great job. It was her day today,” Williams said after the loss. “It was a great opportunity. It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to. But at least I was able to make it to Rio. That was one of my goals.”
With Williams’ exit, there now no top seeds left in either men’s or women’s singles or doubles. That includes Novak Djokovic who lost to Juan Martin Del Potro earlier in the event.
Svitolina, now in the quarterfinals, will next face Petra Kvitova.