Elina Svitolina acknowledged Iga Swiatek's great game and major success ahead of their Miami Open clash but also warned the world No. 2 that she will be "ready."
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When the Miami draw was released, the Ukrainian tennis star was handed a brutal path. But so far, the No. 22 has answered the call big time, dismantling Abu Dhabi champion Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-2 and also ousting 15th-seeded Karolina Muchova 6-2 3-6 6-2.
Now, Svitolina is set for another very difficult test in the round-of-16. In Miami, Swiatek is a one-time champion and she also started her run at this year's tournament edition with back-to-back straight-set victories over Caroline Garcia and Elise Mertens.
Svitolina: Champion Swiatek has a big game... It will take a lot to beat her, but I'm ready
"We've played a couple of times so we know each others game. For me, I feel like I have nothing to lose and only things to gain. Ill try to recover because we are playing tomorrow," the No. 22 seed said on Tennis Channel.
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"Ill just try to be there with my game plan, talk with my coach and be ready for her. Of course, she has a big game, shes a big champion and knows how to win. So for sure, it will take a lot from me to beat her, but Im ready for that."
When Svitolina and Swiatek clash against each other in Miami's evening session on Monday, it will be their fourth meeting as the Pole leads their head-to-head 2-1 with wins in 2021 Rome and 2024 Dubai. However, it was the Ukrainian who won their battle on the biggest stage after upsetting the five-time Grand Slam champion 7-5 6-7 (5) 6-2 in the 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinal.
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As you can see, Svitolina has already once stunned Swiatek on a big stage - and considering how she has been playing in Miami over the last couple of days - she has all the reasons to be confident ahead of her round-of-16 match.
