DAY 9 WOMEN: Svitolina hopes Australian Open run brings 'a little light' to Ukraine

Elina Svitolina said she hopes to bring "a little light" to the Ukrainian people after sweeping past a Russian into the Australian Open quarterfinals on Monday.

The 28th seed beat Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to set up a clash with American Madison Keys.

Like other players from Ukraine, Svitolina did not shake hands with her Russian opponent because of the war, and wrote "The spirit of Ukraine" on a TV camera lens at the end of a 6-4, 6-1 victory.

"This fighting spirit I try to show, that I try to represent as well," Svitolina told reporters.

"These days are very difficult for Ukraine. It's almost been three years that the war is ongoing.

"On a daily basis it is a very heavy rucksack that all Ukrainians have on their backs.

"For me to find a way to win matches, to find a way to bring a little light, a little win for the Ukrainian people is something that I feel I am responsible for.

"To bring the fight is the least that I can do."

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The 30-year-old from Odesa said she could not see herself shaking hands with a Russian any time soon, even if the war were to end.

"I don't really see it happening because it's just a terrible, terrible feeling," she said.

"I do not wish anyone to ever experience this. To wake up to the news your friends died on the front line, being killed by Russian soldiers.

"It's something that is really, really heavy on my heart."

WAITING

Asked whether new US President Donald Trump could make a difference, Svitolina said: "I feel like we should leave the stage to him.

"It's difficult. There is a lot of talks going on how it's going to be, what is going to be, if he's going to finish the war in a few days or not.

"We can discuss this for hours, but no one knows really what's going to happen. We are just patiently waiting for this moment."

Organisers displayed a notice on giant centre court screens explaining to spectators that no handshake would take place and asking for "respect in these difficult circumstances".

Svitolina reached the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park for a third time, but her first for six years.

She will play Keys for a place in the semifinals.

Svitolina has reached the last four in Grand Slams on three previous occasions, at Wimbledon in 2019 and 2023, and the US Open in 2019, but never in Australia.

Keys, who reached her maiden Slam semifinal at the 2015 Australian Open, beat the 2023 runner-up Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in 1hr 49min.

"It's hard to believe that it was 10 years ago, but really proud of myself today," said Keys, who also made the last eight in Melbourne in 2018 and 2022.

"She raised her level in the second set and played some really great tennis," added Keys, who came into Melbourne Park in form having won the Adelaide warm-up event.

"To still be up here and playing some good tennis all these years later, I'm really happy."

KEYS STUNS RYBAKINA TO REACH AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTERFINALS

American Madison Keys upset sixth seed Elena Rybakina 6-3 1-6 6-3 in a roller-coaster match at Margaret Court Arena to march into the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Monday and extend her win streak to nine matches this year.

Adelaide Open champion Keys had lost to the Kazakh in their last two encounters but was well in control for most of the last 16 tie, barring a rough patch in the second set when she lost four straight games.

Rybakina seemed to be struggling with a lower back injury that had affected her in the third round and Keys was able to play aggressively to neutralise her big serve and take control of the rallies.

"Her serve is such a weapon, so I knew that if I could just try to make at least some of her service games a little bit competitive, then I had a chance," said the 19th seed, who chalked up her third win over a top-10 player this month.

"So I was basically just trying to make anything that I could get my racket on back over the net, which worked sometimes."

The decider was neck-and-neck early on at 3-3 before Keys moved up a gear and sealed her spot in the next round with a searing cross-court winner on her second match point.

She will next play Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who beat Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 6-1 earlier on Monday.