The penultimate week of April tennis came to an end, where Ukrainian tennis players failed to please our fans in the ATP and WTA tournaments. But the Ukrainians had a great week at ITF level and even won a few titles. The most prestigious tournaments were held in Stuttgart (WTA 500 women), Barcelona (ATP 500 men), Banja Luka and Munich (ATP 250 men).
WTA 500 Stuttgart
Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska qualified for the indoor clay tournament in Germany. However, he obviously failed in performances. Dayana finished participating in these competitions in the first round of the selection, losing to Katie Volynets, who was far from being a clay lover in three matches. It is also worth noting that Yastremska won the first set, and in the second set the score was 3: 1, and in the 10th game there was match points and a tie-break.
None of the Ukrainians attended the base, the leaders of our women’s tennis, Angelina Kalinina and Marta Kostyuk, took leave a week before the tournament in Madrid.
The championship in the competition was won by the world’s first racket, Iga Sventek, for whom this tournament was the first dirt tournament of the season. Iga successfully defended the trophy it won last year, and also took home a new Porsche (the organizers of the competition work closely with the owners of the company). Interestingly, in the final, polka defeated Arina Sobolenko, with whom she also played in the championship game last year. This is Iga’s second title in 2023.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Iga Sventek
ATP 500 Barcelona / ATP 250 Munich / ATP 250 Banja Luka
The birthplace of clay masters opened its doors to the clay season with competitions in Barcelona. The second racket of the world, Carlos Alcaras, came to Spain to defend the trophy, which he successfully coped with. In the final, Carlitos confidently defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, giving his 4th defeat in 4 personal matches. Carlos also walked confidently on the grid, winning all 10 sets. For the 19-year-old Spaniard, this is his 8th and 3rd career title this season.
It is worth noting that Ukrainian male tennis player Oleksiy Krutykh also participated in the tournament held in Barcelona. The Ukrainian player qualified for the eliminations by defeating Zekic and Grenier, but faced the country representative 404 Pavel Kotov, whom he lost in three matches in the 1/32 final, and won the first one in a tie-break.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. carlos alcaraz
The championship was successfully defended in Munich, Stuttgart and Barcelona. 19-year-old Dane Holger Rune regained the trophy in an epic final against Botik van de Zandshulp. Rune confidently made it to the final, but was burned there by two timeouts of 2:5 (15:40) in the third set. However, Holger made an incredible comeback and scored 2 more game points in Game 12, taking the tie-breaking victory.
Video review of the Holger Rune v Botik van de Zansshulp match:
The tournament, held in Banja Luka, Bosnia, ended unexpectedly. Who would have thought that world number 70 Dusan Lajovic, who won the only trophy of his career at Umag in 2019, could win a championship on these courts? During the tournament, the 32-year-old Serbian player, in addition to defeating Andrey Rublev in the final, also defeated the leader of the ATP rating, Novak Djokovic, in two sets! Dusan won the 2nd championship in his career and the 1st championship of the season.
Cup Oleinikova
22-year-old Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oleinikova can justify her last week on a 15,000-meter unpaved track in Telde (Spain). Alexandra was considered the favorite in the 4 fights before the final and in the cup match against a minor underdog, Claudia Bubelite. However, Oleinikova won the tournament, taking the 1st trophy of the season.
Interestingly, the Ukrainian held 3 similar tournaments in a row on Telda. In the first, he lost to the same Bubelita in the 1/8 final, in the second he reached the final, and in the third he took the championship, as mentioned above.
Instagram. Alexandra Oleinikova with her brother
Ukrainian tennis players in ITF tournaments: Zavatskaya, Vanshelboim and Belinsky finals
Ukrainian tennis players had a great time at the ITF tournaments last week. Three of them (not counting Oleinikova) simultaneously participated in the finals, but did not win the trophy.
Katarina Zavatskaya, a member of the Ukrainian women’s tennis team, played 25,000th in Santa Margherita di Pula (Italy). The Ukrainian player reached the final quite calmly, only having problems against Makarova and Herdzelash. But he wasn’t strong enough for the final. Katarina lost her chance to win the first trophy in 2023, losing to Sara Tsakarevich.
Ukrainian tennis player Vladislav Belinsky improved his tennis with a busy schedule, but this played a cruel joke on him. Vyacheslav played a lot in both doubles and singles at 15.000 each in Antalya and won 1 doubles cup. There was a chance to win the singles championship, but in the final of the competition, Belinsky withdrew after the first 5 matches against Dragos Madaras.
Instagram. Vyacheslav Belinsky
Eric Vanschelboim had an unexpected week of shock. The first reached the final at 25k and the second beat both first-seeded Mikael Vrbensky and promising Swiss Jerome Kim during the tournament, and the 22-year-old but already struggling in the final. Experienced Croatian Dear Aidunkovich. Therefore, we can safely say that although Eric did not win the trophy, he certainly surprised me with his performance in the 25,000th in Split.
Two Ukrainian tennis players, Alexander Brainin and Georgy Kravchenko, won the doubles title in the 15,000th event held in Telda. In the final, the Ukrainian tandem took a victory (up to 10 points) from the Spanish couple Campos / Contri in the royal tie-break. Brinin and Kravchenko won the championship together for the first time. Prior to that, they had won an ITF tournament in pairs, but with other partners.
ITF. Alexander Brainin and Georgy Kravchenko
Failure Svitolina
Elina Svitolina, the former world third and former leader of Ukrainian women’s tennis, is desperately trying to regain the skills she lost after the decree. Elina performed at 100,000th at Oeiras last week. Already in the first round, Svitolina finished her performances in the Portuguese clay tournament by losing in three sets to Denmark’s first racket Clara Tauson. The Ukrainian player won the first set, scored a match in the second set, but physically sank at the tie-break and did not play well in the third set.
Elina will play in the thousand this week in Madrid. He will meet with Alexandra Sasnovich on April 26. Not the strongest tennis player, but still in the top 50. Considering that Svitolina has rarely made it to the second round on Madrid courts throughout her career, this challenge will be difficult for her. However, it is clear that the Ukrainian player is trying to play, progress and win and is really interested in that. It is definitely not worth criticizing Svitolina for having only 1 win in 4 matches.
Instagram. Elina Svitolina
Progress Sachko
Vitaly Sachko is beginning to show more and more successful and quality tennis. He performed at the Mexican Challenger in Morelos last week. There, he reached the quarterfinals where he nearly beat James Duckworth. Vitaly won the first set and reached a tie-break in the second set, after which the fight was interrupted due to rain. Apparently, this was what slowed Sachko down, as he lost the tie-break dry – 0:7.
In the third game, Vitali took a break after Duckworth’s service in the 10th game, but served 40:0 in the next game. Progress is visible, but the Ukrainian player is unlikely to benefit from the tough part of the season. Then this season for the first time, he will perform on dirt in the Czech Republic. Let’s see what comes of this…
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina In a flash interview on the court, she commented on her victory over Diana Schneider in the 1/16 final match of the Australian Open 2026:
– Elina, congratulations. When you turned the match score you had the biggest smile on your face. It was a tough match, wasn’t it? Relaxation?
– Yes definitely. It was a difficult match. I was really hoping to continue the service. We took a few breaks and I was a little disappointed in myself. But at the end of the day, I’m very, very happy with my performance. And of course it’s really great to play in front of you and win. Thank you.
– You went from point to point in the first set. You played great in the tiebreaker match. In the second game you won 3:1 and had the game ball. You didn’t apply it. How disappointed are you? Because I saw you taking very deep breaths.
“This is how you deal with disappointments.” Of course, when you miss a few opportunities, it feels like the world is ending. Of course you want to get back into the game and fight. I was very happy and tried to take out this frustration with my fists and hit even harder.
– You did a great job. And your husband – is he still here? Yes he’s still here [смотрит на Гаэля Монфиса]. He doesn’t like us talking about him but I have to ask you. – unfortunately he lost in the first round – What’s the best tennis advice he’s ever given you? Or you may have problems (laughs).
– I’m thinking of being calmer (laughs). It taught me to be calmer. We play a lot of matches. We started playing tennis when we were very young. I started playing tennis at the age of four. He started playing tennis at the age of three. We spend our whole lives on the field and I think it’s important to find things you enjoy off the field as well. We have a wonderful family with our daughter Skye. This is such a wonderful gift for us. It’s a special moment for us to spend Gael’s final year together and enjoy it as much as possible.
– You definitely become more comfortable during the match (Elina laughs). After the previous game, you were asked what you were going to do for the rest of the day. You said you were going to take Gael’s credit card and go shopping. What did you buy?
– I bought a few bags. Thank you very much [обращается к Гаэлю]. I really liked it. You are a very good husband. Now I think he’s going to ask me to get my credit card to pay for his purchases.
– Don’t do this. Don’t give it to him, Elina. Congratulations on your victory and your two bags. Cheers to Elina Svitolina!
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
(Melbourne) Favorite Aryna Sabalenka beat Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Sabalenka is seeking a third crown in four years, at the Australian leg of the Grand Slam. Her next rival will be the young Canadian Victoria Mboko, 16e in the world.
“I never really spoke to him. I never had the chance to interact or train with her. I saw her outside, she said of the 19-year-old Torontonian. She is a very good player and a fighter. She plays very good, aggressive tennis. »
Sabalenka led 40-0 in the 12the game of the first set, before having to play a tiebreaker. She took control 3-0, but lost the next three games.
The favorite snatched the set with a backhand along the line, on a second ball from her rival.
In the second set, Sabalenka blew a 4-0 lead, making the score 4-4. She once again had to win the tiebreaker.
“Anastasia was incredible,” Sabalenka said, on the field. I was always on my heels. There are days when you just have to keep fighting. It was a serious battle. »
Last year, Sabalenka was defeated in the final by Madison Keys at this tournament.
Later in the day, American Coco Gauff (No. 3) drew on her resources to come from behind and defeat her compatriot Hailey Baptiste in three sets of 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.
The Czech Karolina Muchova easily corrected the Polish Magda Linette 6-1, 6-1, while the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva ended the fairy tale of the Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3.
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
(Melbourne) Favorite Carlos Alcaraz admitted to having lost the drop shot battle against Frenchman Corentin Moutet, despite his victory in the third round at the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Moutet varied his shots against Alcaraz on Friday at the Rod Laver Arena. His mix of drop shots, spin balls, between-the-legs shots, half-volleys, angled volleys and even a spoon serve kept the world number one on his toes.
However, Alcaraz only needed a little over two hours to eliminate his opponent, thanks to a victory in three sets of 6-2, 6-4, 6-1. The clash, however, did not prove to be a walk in the park despite the final score.
“When you face a player like Corentin, you never know what to expect,” explained Alcaraz during his on-field television interview. I really had fun on the pitch. As you could see, we both hit some great shots. Great points. »
There were tense moments, like in the second set, in which Alcaraz let a 3-0 lead slip away to trail 4-3.
As spectacular as ever, the 22-year-old Spaniard responded with some spectacular shots, which helped him keep his composure.
In the first round, Moutet (no. 32) was booed by the public for his spoon serve during a match point. This time, the Australian public gave him a much warmer welcome.
After winning a point late in the match with a perfect, deep lob in the corner, he celebrated his victory by raising his fist. When he held on during this game with a winning volley, he greeted the crowd by removing his cap.
Alcaraz will now face American Tommy Paul (No. 19), who advanced to the next round when Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No. 14) retired while losing 6-1, 6-1.
“We had some really good battles against each other,” Alcaraz admitted. The matches are always played at a very high level. »
“After the first round, I was very angry with myself because I hadn’t done better. It cost me dearly in the second, analyzed Medvedev, winner of the 2021 US Open and three-time finalist at Melbourne Park. In the third run I had to let go and focus on what I needed to do. »
American Learner Tien (No. 25) beat Nuno Borges 7-6 (9), 6-4, 6-2 to secure a meeting against Medvedev.
Zverev and De Minaur reach the eighth
World No.3 Alexander Zverev won a third match in four sets in a row to reach the round of 16, which will also be played by Australian Alex De Minaur (6e).
In the last match of the day in the John Cain Arena, the outgoing finalist won 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 against Cameron Norrie (27e), his seventh victory in as many duels against the Briton on the main circuit.
Triple finalist in Grand Slam, Zverev will face Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (21) on Sundaye) for a place in the quarter-finals.
A few minutes before the German’s victory, Alex De Minaur won 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 against the American Frances Tiafoe (34e).
The last Australian competing in the men’s draw has thus been invited for the fifth year in a row to the round of 16 of the Australian Open and will face on Sunday the Kazakhstani Alexander Bublik (10e), or to the Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry (62e).
Double title holder Jannik Sinner (4e) and the ten-time winner in Melbourne Novak Djokovic (4e) will play their third round on Saturday, respectively against the American Eliot Spizzirri (85e) and the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (75e).
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
