Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has etched her name in the sport's record books by becoming just the fourth player in the 21st century to win 10 consecutive matches on clay courts. This remarkable streak, which began in mid-April, spans three tournaments and showcases Svitolina's exceptional form on the challenging surface.
The Ukrainian's impressive run began at the Billie Jean King Cup, where she helped her national team secure victories against Poland and Switzerland. She then claimed the title at the tournament in Rouen before continuing her dominance at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid, where she has already eliminated three opponents: Sonay Kartal, Elena Rybakina, and most recently, Maria Sakkari.
Svitolina's victory over Sakkari (6:3, 6:4) marked her tenth straight win on clay, but what makes this achievement even more remarkable is that she hasn't dropped a single set during the entire streak. All ten matches have ended in straight-set victories, allowing her to establish a new personal record of 20 consecutive sets won, surpassing her previous best of 16 sets from 2013.
According to Statbet analysis, Svitolina's impressive streak puts her in elite company, as only tennis legends like Serena Williams, Flavia Pennetta, and Bernarda Pera have accomplished similar feats on clay this century.
When asked about her recent success, Svitolina expressed satisfaction with her current form while maintaining a focused approach, emphasizing the importance of staying healthy and concentrating on upcoming matches rather than looking too far ahead.
The Ukrainian's next challenge comes in the Madrid quarterfinals, where she'll face Japan's Moyuka Uchijima, currently ranked 56th in the WTA standings. A victory would bring Svitolina within striking distance of her all-time record of 12 consecutive wins, established back in 2013.
Her recent triumph over Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina (6:3, 6:4) in the round of 16 on April 28 was particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrated Svitolina's ability to perform at a high level against top-ranked opponents on her preferred surface.
