Monterrey (AFP)
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, ranked 15th in the world, beat Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the Monterrey Tennis Tournament yesterday, “Tuesday”, and announced that she will dedicate all the profits she makes to her country’s army in light of the invasion from the neighboring country.
Svitolina had announced that she would not face players from Russia or Belarus, unless they compete under a neutral flag.
The professional and professional players’ associations announced hours before the match yesterday that they would allow players from Russia and Belarus to continue their competitions, but “not under their country’s flag until further notice.”
Amid the cheers of the fans, the tournament’s top seed and 2020 champion won an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory against the 21-year-old, ranked 80th in the world.
Sadness was visible on her face throughout the match and she placed her hand on her heart several times after the victory, and she shook hands with her opponent at the end of the match on the net.
Wearing a blue skirt and a yellow shirt, the two colors of her country’s flag, Svitolina said in an emotional interview on the field.
She later told reporters: “It is a special victory because of what we are suffering now in Ukraine, it is terrifying for me, I am not only playing for myself, I am playing for my country, I am playing to help the Ukrainian army and the needy, every victory I will achieve will be very special.”
Also, Egyptian Mayar Sherif qualified for the next round by defeating Australian Siony Mendes (211 globally) 6-1, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4.
The WTA website has removed the flags of players from Russia and Belarus along with their names in the rankings.
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