Sports

Boxing fan Svitolina hoping to go the distance

July 09, 2019
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her Wimbledon quarterfinal match against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, on Tuesday. — Reuters
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her Wimbledon quarterfinal match against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, on Tuesday. — Reuters

LONDON — Ukraine's eighth seed Elina Svitolina reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time on Monday and hopes her boxing workouts can help her go the distance.

The 24-year-old was quicker to the punch against Croatia's Petra Martic, winning 6-4 6-2 to continue her impressive progress in her seventh appearance in the main draw.

She will face unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova on Tuesday with a first Grand Slam semifinal in her sights.

Asked how she is preparing for her matches, Svitolina said boxing was a useful way of letting off steam.

"I think it's a great workout because sometimes you just need to let go the negative things in your head," she said.

"Sometimes it's frustrating matches that you lose. I think it's a good workout also for your mind."

Svitolina said she is a big fan of Britain's former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

"Yeah, big fan of his. Unfortunately his last fight wasn't great," she said. "In Ukraine there are great fighters. I don't know why, but from a long time ago I started doing boxing with my brother. Then throughout the years, just continuing it." — Reuters


July 09, 2019
HIGHLIGHTS
Sports
day ago

Saudi Arabia beat Haiti 1-0 to open 2025 Gold Cup campaign

Sports
6 days ago

Al Hilal president: No new signings for Club World Cup due to inflated demands

Sports
6 days ago

Saudi Arabia miss World Cup spot after Australia defeat, head to Asian playoff