Still undefeated and yet unstoppable: Svitolina dismantles Shnaider to storm into Melbourne last 16
Elina Svitolina maintained her flawless 8-0 start to the 2026 season on Friday night, overcoming No 23 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-3 to secure her sixth career appearance in the Australian Open fourth round.
Elina Svitolina, Auckland 2026 | © Photosport / PsNewz
The 2026 version of Elina Svitolina is proving to be the most formidable iteration of the Ukrainian star the tour has seen in years. On a high-octane Friday night at Melbourne Park, the No 12 seed extended her season winning streak to eight matches with a clinical performance against one of the game’s most dangerous young power-hitters.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the 31-year-old, who has now reached the second week of the Australian Open for the sixth time, re-establishing herself as a potential contender for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. Svitolina’s path to this stage has been a model of efficiency, having dispatched Pole Linda Klimovicova and Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in the earlier rounds while dropping only a handful of games.
A Masterclass in Defensive Resilience and Lethal Power
The opening set against the 21-year-old Diana Shnaider was a tactical chess match that tested Svitolina’s vaunted defensive capabilities to their limit. Shnaider, the No 23 seed, arrived on court with significant momentum after fighting through three-set marathons against Talia Gibson and former champion Barbora Krejcikova.
The Russian left-hander utilized her heavy groundstrokes to push Svitolina deep behind the baseline, but the Ukrainian responded with sensational defending that has become the hallmark of her undefeated January. Svitolina absorbed the pace and redirected it with precision, eventually forcing a tiebreak. In the critical moments of the 7-4 breaker, Svitolina’s experience shone through as she minimized her unforced errors while Shnaider’s consistency began to waver under the pressure of the big-stage lights.
By the second set, the momentum had shifted entirely. Svitolina began to unleash her own lethal power, stepping into the court to take the ball early and dictate the rallies. While Shnaider attempted to stay aggressive, she found herself caught in the endless fight that Svitolina brings to every point.
The Ukrainian broke serve early and maintained her advantage with an 81 percent win rate on her first serve. Shnaider, who is currently ranked No 23 in the world, could not find the same rhythm that allowed her to upset Krejcikova earlier in the week. Svitolina’s ability to transition from defense to offense in a split second proved to be the difference, as she closed out the match in an hour and 42 minutes to the roars of a supportive Melbourne crowd.
The Monfils Factor and the Path to the Title
One of the most discussed aspects of Svitolina’s resurgent form this fortnight has been the unique support system in her box. Her husband, ATP star Gael Monfils, was not only seen cheering passionately from the stands on Friday night but also served as her primary sparring partner during a high-intensity morning warm-up. This unconventional preparation appears to be paying dividends, as Svitolina looks physically sharper and more focused than she has in years. Having dropped only one set across her first eight matches of 2026, she is currently the form player in the bottom half of the draw, possessing a level of confidence that makes her the opponent no one wants to run into right now.
Looking ahead to the fourth round, Svitolina awaits a fascinating tactical encounter. She will face the winner of the match between the No 8 seed Mirra Andreeva and Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse. A potential clash with the teenage sensation Andreeva would be a blockbuster meeting between two generations of baseline specialists, while a match against Ruse would offer Svitolina a chance to continue her dominant run against power-hitters. Regardless of the opponent, the Ukrainian’s current trajectory suggests she is ready to surpass her career-best semifinal showings in Melbourne. As the tournament moves into the business end, Svitolina’s mix of veteran savvy and renewed physical dominance has placed her firmly in the conversation for her first Grand Slam title.
