Elina Svitolina has achieved one of her main goals for the 2026 season in emphatic fashion, guaranteeing her return to the WTA Top 10 following her impressive run at the Australian Open. By reaching the semifinals in Melbourne, the Ukrainian ensures a major jump in the rankings, marking a significant milestone in her comeback after motherhood.
AP
The 29-year-old delivered a dominant performance in the quarterfinals, dismantling Coco Gauff 6–1, 6–2 in under an hour on Rod Laver Arena. The one-sided contest underlined Svitolina’s current form and confidence, as she controlled the match from the opening games and gave her opponent little opportunity to settle.
Beyond the result itself, the victory carries special meaning for Svitolina. “Returning to the Top 10 was my biggest objective for this year, and achieving it already in January means a lot to me,” she said. “Coming back to this level after becoming a mother makes it even more emotional.”
The rankings scenarios reflect the importance of her Melbourne campaign. A title would see Svitolina rise as high as world No. 8, while a runner-up finish would place her at No. 9—either outcome confirming her re-establishment among the elite of women’s tennis.
The quarterfinal match offered little suspense. Gauff struggled to find rhythm from the outset and was unable to respond to Svitolina’s aggressive yet composed play. Even attempts to adjust her game and equipment failed to shift the momentum, as the Ukrainian maintained pressure throughout both sets.
With this result, Svitolina reaches another Grand Slam semifinal and completes a remarkable resurgence in just the first month of the season. Her performance in Australia not only highlights her physical readiness but also signals that she is once again a genuine contender at the biggest events on the WTA Tour.