2019 Wimbledon - Svitolina d Martic

The round of sixteen clash between eighth seed Elina Svitolina and twenty fourth seed Petra Martic was first up on Court Three on Day Seven at Wimbledon 2019.

Svitolina had a 3-1 head to head record coming into this match, all their previous meetings on clay, two of them at Roland Garros. Svitolina won the most recent contest, in Rome last year.

Martic served first, and for four games no break of serve occurred, although Svitolina was taken to deuce a couple of times before 2-2 was achieved,

In game five, Martic led 30-0, but three backhand errors, one long and two netted, allowed Svitolina to have break point. A fine Martic overhead smash saved it, and an exquisite drop shot brought up a game point. Svitolina drilled a forehand down the line and when Martic couldn’t handle a volley, another break point arrived. A backhand from Martic found the net and the break occurred.

Svitolina was ahead 40-15, but was brought back to deuce. Then on four separate occasions she had game point, only to see those chances all evaporate.

Martic, after the fifth deuce, had a break back chance once Svitolina hit the net with her forehand, and a final drop shot converted the chance. Games were 3–3.

A marathon seventh game lasted seventeen minutes and 23 points, had nine deuces, and three break points were saved by Martic. It took until the seventh game point for the Croatian to hold serve and regain the lead 4-3.

Svitolina also saved three break points en route to levelling at 4-4. Svitolina played a great point at 15-30, dragging Martic all over the court, until finally passing her with a forehand. Martic saved one of the break points with an effective serve, but a wonderful drop shot from Svitolina earned her a critical break and she would serve for the opening set.

A love game, including a perfect lob and an ace, parceled up the set for Svitolina 6-4, and it took over an hour.

Martic saved a break point in the opening game of set two, and failed to convert game point three times before a second break point arose. Svitolina cashed in on this one and now led by a set and a break. After a medical time out for Martic, the service break was consolidated by Svitolina, who then piled on the pressure, achieving a double break, by using the second of two break points. Serves were held until 5-2 and Svitolina would serve for the match.

As with the first set, a love game to seal the match for Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-2.