US Open: Elina Svitolina Ousts Simona Halep To Reach Quarterfinals

Ukraine's fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina defeated two-time major winner Simona Halep at the US Open on Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals.

Ukraine's fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina defeated two-time major winner Simona Halep at the US Open on Sunday, advancing to her eighth Grand Slam quarter-final. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Svitolina, coming off a WTA title in Chicago, stretched her win streak to nine matches by dispatching the Romanian 12th seed 6-3, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "Definitely was a great match," Svitolina said. "I was really excited. I know how big a fighter is Simona. I had to bring my best game. For sure I'm happy with the win." Svitolina, who hasn't dropped a set this week, made her deepest Slam runs to the 2019 US Open and Wimbledon semi-finals. Svitolina will next play either German 16th seed Angelique Kerber, whose three Grand Slam titles include the 2016 US Open, or 18-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who ousted 2020 champion Naomi Osaka. Seven of the top nine women's seeds reached the last 16 with Osaka and top-ranked Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty exiting early. After an exchange of early breaks, Svitolina broke on an errant backhand in the eighth game and held to claim the opening set after 34 minutes.