NEW YORK: Elina Svitolina’s blossoming romance with Gael Monfils is propelling the couple’s deep runs at the US Open, and the Ukrainian urged the French star to keep pace after Tuesday’s quarterfinal victory.
Svitolina, who broke the psychological barrier of reaching a Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon in July, became the first Ukrainian to make the last four of the US Open with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Britain’s Johanna Konta. Boyfriend Monfils, the 13th seed in the men’s draw, is through to a fourth quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows and will look to equal his best Slam run when he meets Italian Matteo Berrettini on Wednesday.
“We are pushing each other and we are now trying to join each other in the semi-finals,” Svitolina said. “Now it’s time for him to step up his game!” – AFP
