On the 20th local time, Ukrainian star Svitolina defeated Russian opponent Kudermetova 6:4, 6:1 and returned to the top 8 of the Australian Open women's singles. After the game, she wanted to bring a little light to the war-torn people of Ukraine.

Ukrainian star Svitolina

"I'm trying to show a fighting spirit!" Like the rest of the Ukrainian players, Svitolina refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent after the game because of the war, and also wrote "Ukrainian spirit" on the camera footage broadcast on the conference televis, the 30-year-old mother from Odessa, bluntly said that this period of time is very difficult for the motherland, especially the war has lasted for almost 3 years, and all Ukrainians are carrying a very heavy burden, "For me, to find a way to win the game, to find a way to bring a little light and victory to my compatriots back home, I feel that I have this responsibility, In the end, the least I can do is fight. ”

Kudermetova

Svitolina, who has returned from injury, reached the quarter-finals of her career at Melbourne Park for the third time in her career, and will next face American Keys who have won nine straight matches for a place in the women's singles quarterfinals.