Top 10 return: Relentless Svitolina stuns Gauff to reach maiden Melbourne semifinal
Elina Svitolina defeated Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 on Tuesday night to advance to her first Australian Open semifinal. The Ukrainian No 12 seed dismantled the world No 3 in just 59 minutes, securing her return to the global Top 10 and maintaining a perfect, set-less record in 2026.
Elina Svitolina, Australian Open 2026 | © PsNewz
Elina Svitolina defeated Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 to produce arguably the most clinical performance of the 2026 Australian Open so far. In a quarterfinal that many expected to be a grueling baseline battle, the 31-year-old Ukrainian dictated every exchange, leaving the No 3 seed looking “lost” under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.
With this victory, Svitolina extends her undefeated start to the season to 10-0 and secures her fourth career Grand Slam semifinal, her first since 2023.
Suffocating Aggression and Tactical Mastery
The match was defined by Svitolina’s “suffocating” tactical approach, particularly her relentless pressure on Gauff’s second serve. From the opening game, the No 12 seed played the most aggressive tennis of her career, refusing to let the 21-year-old American settle into the match.
Svitolina’s 45th career win over a Top 10 opponent was achieved through a high-risk, high-reward strategy that saw her hit through Gauff’s world-class defense with ease. By the time the clock hit the 59-minute mark, the world No 3 had suffered another disappointing exit at the quarterfinal stage in Melbourne.
For Gauff, the loss marks a sudden halt to a promising run that included a tough three-set victory over Karolina Muchova. However, against a rejuvenated Svitolina, the American found no answers to the depth and pace coming from the other side of the net. This victory marks the first time in Svitolina’s storied career that she has recorded back-to-back Top 10 wins at a Grand Slam, having previously dismissed the No 8 seed Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round.
A Dream Comeback and a Top 10 Rebirth
Beyond the immediate result, the victory carries profound personal significance for the Ukrainian star. In her on-court interview, Svitolina was informed that her run in Melbourne has officially propelled her back into the WTA Top 10, a milestone she has chased relentlessly since returning from maternity leave. “Not bad, not bad. I’m very pleased with the tournament so far. And of course always been my dream to come back after maternity leave. It was my dream to come back in top 10. It’s always been my goal,” she reflected.
The journey back to the elite tier of the sport was not without its setbacks, including a premature end to her 2025 season. “Unfortunately didn’t happen last year. I stopped after September. When we were training in the off season I told my coach ‘I want to come back in top 10 still.’ This was my goal for this year,” Svitolina explained.
For a player widely regarded as one of tennis’s toughest warriors, the achievement is a validation of her off-season work. “It means the world to me, I give myself this motivation to continue; it’s a good trip for me,” she added.
Svitolina now prepares for a monumental semifinal clash against the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka. While Sabalenka represents the ultimate power test, Svitolina’s current form – characterized by 10 wins, 0 losses, and 0 sets dropped this tournament – suggests she is playing with the clarity and aggression required to hunt for her maiden Major title.
