Tennis Australian Open Women's Singles -

Australian Open 2025: 'Proud' Elina Svitolina 'inspired' by husband Gael Monfils to upset No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini

React to this story

Elina Svitolina made it into the Australian Open last 16 after upsetting world No. 4 Jasmine Poalini in three sets. Svitolina’s victory followed hot on the heels of that of her husband, Gael Monfils, who also beat the fourth seed of the men' draw. Svitolina said post-match that her husband’s victory inspired her, as she reached the fourth round in Melbourne for the second straight year.

Svitolina 'inspired by husband's win' as she reacts to stunning upset

Video credit: TNT Sports

Elina Svitolina produced a stunning comeback to upset Jasmine Paolini in Melbourne, beating the No. 4 seed 2-6 6-4 6-0.

Paolini had a breakout year in 2024, reaching two slam finals. But despite a strong start, she could not cope with the power and accuracy of Svitolina - who advanced to the fourth round for the second straight year - where she will play Veronika Kudermetova.

Svitolina’s victory was not the first upset of the day on Margaret Court Arena - earlier in the day her husband Gael Monfils beat American fourth seed Taylor Fritz.

Wimbledon Women's Singles -

'Super special' Federer moment spurs Kostyuk to Wimbledon quarter-final win

09/07/2026 at 00:03

Monfils joked after the match that he "warmed up" the court for Svitolina, but that looked far from the truth in a one-sided first set dominated by Paolini.

Fortunately for the Frenchman, who was watching from the courtside coaching area, Svitolina was able to turn the match around and ensure they would both make it into the second week of the slam.

"It was a crazy battle today," Svitolina said. "I want to say I got inspired after my husband’s win, I watched a little bit, but to be fair I played so bad the first set, I’m not sure I was inspired or whatever.

"But after that I had to really push through, and really happy with the way I came back to the match, just trying to get one more ball over the net and try to find my shots so I’m really happy with the performance in the end."

Watch Svitolina seal huge upset over Paolini as husband Monfils watches on

Video credit: TNT Sports

Svitolina has never gone past the quarter-finals in Melbourne, but has made three slam semi-finals in her career so far, and is in a relatively open section of the draw.

But for the moment, the Ukrainian is relishing the prospect of a place in the fourth round - made all the sweeter by having her husband there alongside her.

"For sure I'm really proud of myself, of Gael, that we didn't give up, that we believed in our game, believed that we could win, and yeah, get the wins today," she told a press conference later.

Monfils’ victory was also hugely impressive, coming against a player like Fritz who can so often give nothing away on serve.

Monfils is also in the twilight of his career - having broken Roger Federer's record as the oldest man to win an ATP title in Auckland ahead of the Melbourne Slam - but Svitolina was keen to point out that age is just a number.

"I mean, he didn't say much to me, to be fair," she said. "He was just happy. Me, I was just telling him how impressive he handled the match.

"I know that he really wanted this match to go his way, wanted to play well, wanted to really take it on, you know, to take on Taylor. He's such a big player, Gael.

'A Monfils masterclass' - French legend stuns Fritz in big upset

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I feel like with you guys all the time mentioning his age, he feels that he still has a lot of energy in his tank. He wants to prove it. He wants to bring the battle. Yeah, he did it really impressively today."

Monfils will play Ben Shelton in the next round, while Svitolina takes on Kudermetova - who is a former top 10 player.

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

Wimbledon