Australian Open - Elina Svitolina outlasts Zhang Shuai in marathon battle

ByAlex Chick

Updated 19/01/2019 at 04:27 GMT

Elina Svitolina came from a set down to win a brutal three-hour Australian Open third round match against Zhang Shuai.

The sixth-seeded Ukrainian came through an attritional encounter 4-6 6-4 7-5, and will face either Madison Keys or Elise Mertens in the fourth round.

Zhang played the more dynamic tennis, hitting 41 winners to her opponent's 28.

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However the Chinese player's risk-taking led to 51 unforced errors and, despite a nervy finish, Svitolina's greater consistency eventually told.

Highlights: Svitolina comes through Zhang battle

"It was very hot conditions and I was struggling a little, we left everything on court," the 24-year-old said. "I told myself I'm gonna die or win.

"It was just immense, I had to stay very strong and we were fighting until the very last point."

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