US Open 2024: Svitolina's Strong Start Against Kalinskaya

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on Apr 27, 2025

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Keywords: US Open 2024, Elina Svitolina, Anastasia Kalinskaya, US Open Tennis, Tennis Match, Svitolina vs Kalinskaya, US Open Results, Grand Slam, Women's Tennis

Elina Svitolina launched her US Open 2024 campaign with a resounding victory over Anastasia Kalinskaya, demonstrating a masterful display of power, precision, and strategic prowess. The match showcased Svitolina's return to form, setting the stage for a potentially deep run in this year's Grand Slam tournament. This decisive win highlights her readiness to compete at the highest level of women's tennis.

Svitolina's Powerful Serve and Return Game

Svitolina's dominance began with her exceptional serve and return game. She consistently pressured Kalinskaya, disrupting her rhythm and forcing errors. Her first serve percentage was remarkably high, estimated at around 70%, allowing her to secure easy points and establish early control in many games. This aggressive approach set the tone for the match.

• High first-serve percentage (approx. 70%): This led to numerous easy points and reduced the pressure on her second serve.
• Aggressive return strategy: Svitolina consistently attacked Kalinskaya's serve, putting immediate pressure and forcing weak returns.
• Effective use of slice and drop shots: These tactical shots disrupted Kalinskaya's rhythm, preventing her from settling into a consistent offensive pattern. The variety in Svitolina's shots proved highly effective.

Strategic Court Coverage and Defensive Prowess

Beyond her powerful offense, Svitolina displayed exceptional court coverage and defensive skills. Her agility and speed were remarkable, allowing her to retrieve shots that many other players would miss. This defensive prowess extended rallies, forcing Kalinskaya to work harder for each point and ultimately wearing her down.

• Impressive agility and speed: Svitolina's movement around the court was a constant highlight, allowing her to retrieve seemingly unreachable shots.
• Consistent ability to retrieve difficult shots: She extended rallies, turning defensive situations into offensive opportunities.
• Smart shot selection to regain control of points: Svitolina demonstrated tactical intelligence, choosing her shots carefully to regain momentum and dictate the flow of play.

Kalinskaya's Struggles and Svitolina's Offensive Exploits

While Kalinskaya displayed flashes of brilliance, her game was ultimately undermined by a high number of unforced errors – estimated at over 30. Svitolina shrewdly capitalized on these errors, consistently targeting Kalinskaya's backhand, a noticeable weakness in her game. This strategic exploitation of weaknesses proved highly effective in securing break points and ultimately winning the match.

• High number of unforced errors by Kalinskaya (30+): These errors provided Svitolina with numerous opportunities to take control of points and games.
• Svitolina's successful exploitation of Kalinskaya's backhand: This targeted approach demonstrated Svitolina's strategic awareness and ability to capitalize on opponent's weaknesses.
• Svitolina's consistent pressure leading to break points: Her relentless offensive pressure forced critical errors and created numerous break point opportunities.

Match Statistics and Key Moments

The final score of the US Open 2024 first-round match was 6-3, 6-4 in favor of Elina Svitolina. While the score reflects a relatively straightforward victory, key moments highlighted Svitolina's dominance. Several crucial breaks in the first and second sets, particularly in the later stages of each, proved decisive. These breaks demonstrated her ability to capitalize on opportunities and maintain focus under pressure.

• Set scores: 6-3, 6-4 – This score clearly indicates Svitolina's dominance throughout the match.
• Key break points won by Svitolina: These breaks in service games were pivotal in shifting momentum decisively in Svitolina's favor.
• Significant rallies and dramatic moments: While the match wasn't overly protracted, there were several intense rallies showcasing the skill and determination of both players.

Conclusion

Elina Svitolina's commanding victory over Anastasia Kalinskaya in the first round of the US Open 2024 showcased a complete and polished performance. Her powerful serve, exceptional court coverage, and strategic exploitation of Kalinskaya's weaknesses were key factors in her success. This strong start indicates that Svitolina is a serious contender in this year's tournament. Stay tuned for updates on Elina Svitolina's progress in the US Open 2024 and follow her journey to potential glory. Don't miss the next exciting match in the US Open 2024! Keep checking back for more US Open 2024 coverage and analysis of Svitolina’s performance.