By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday May 27, 2023
The Ukrainian gets back in the title winning game in Strasbourg, claiming her first trophy since becoming a mother.
Photo Source: Strasbourg
Elina Svitolina claimed her first title since giving birth to her daughter Skaï last October, defeating Anna Blinkova 6-2, 6-3 for her 17th career title at Strasbourg on Saturday.
Currently 508 in the rankings, the former World No.3 becomes the fourth lowest ranked title winner in WTA history. That list includes a pair of unranked winners (Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Bol 1997; Kim Clijsters, 2009 US Open), as well as Angelique Widjaja, who triumphed in Bali in 2001 while ranked No. 579.
It is Svitolina’s first title since 2021 – she improves to 10-0 in WTA finals.
The 28-year-old will done all of her prize money to Ukrainian children.
"I would like to share this energy with Ukraine, with my homeland," she said after the final. "All my prize money from this tournament is going to go to the kids of Ukraine, in this tough moment.
"I would like to thank France for doing an unbelievable job, welcoming Ukrainians, doing everything possible for them to feel like it's their second home. Thank you so much for everything that you do for us, and together, we're going to see the light and end this war."
Svitolina is 17-3 overall in WTA finals and has won 13 of her last 14 WTA title matches.
Bronzetti Wins Maiden Title Rabat
Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti defeated Julia Grabher to claim her first WTA title in Rabat, Morocco, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. The world No.102 had lost her last 10 WTA matches prior to this week.