On a day the Australian Open went quiet, Elina Svitolina pressed a major mute button.

Svitolina surged through nine straight games sweeping Yulia Putintseva, 6-4, 6-0 rolling into the AO fourth round for the third time in the last four years.

More: Crowds Not Allowed

In Svitolina's 6-4, 6-3 second-round win over Coco Gauff, she enjoyed the electricity from the crowd on Rod Laver Arena.

Margaret Court Arena was empty for today's third-rounder as Melbourne's five-day quarantine is in effect. Playing behind closed doors left Svitolina feeling "sad."

"It was completely different. It was for sure a bit disturbing, I would say, in some ways sad," Svitolina said. "But it is what it is. I had to accept. I had to have a good mindset, not thinking too much about that. I just tried to focus on my game."

Playing a Grand Slam match surrounded by the sound of silence presents pros and cons said Svitolina.

"It's actually easier to focus, I would say," Svitolina said. "It's easier and tougher in the same way because when you are down, I think you feel like you're almost alone here. People give you energy, they are supporting you, they are trying to get you back into the match.

"Here, when you are down, it's like almost only one person, your coach, your physio is there. In this way, that's why I think it's a bit tougher. But you have to push yourself more in that moment."

The fifth-seeded Ukrainian is pushing for her first AO semifinal in her ninth Melbourne appearance.



Next up for Svitolina is American Jessica Pegula, who pounded out a 6-2, 6-1 win over Australian Open doubles champion Kristina Mladenovic.

"I played against Jessica in Abu Dhabi, not that long ago. She's playing very aggressive," Svitolina said."I think she picked up her game quite good for the past I think year. I'm expecting a tough battle against her. She's a good competitor. It's going to be a tough one."

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve