Australian Open Recap (Women): Svitolina Ends Kostyuk’s Fairytale Run; Wozniaki Joins Her In The Fourth Round

Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina ended 15-year-old compatriot Marta Kostyuk’s mazy run to reach the Australian Open last 16.

Svitolina got the better of world number 521 Kostyuk 6-2 6-2 in 59 minutes.

Kostyuk, who is the youngest player since 1997 to get to the third round of a Grand Slam, failed in her bid to be the youngest since 1996 to progress to the last 16.

Svitolina, 23, the only seed left in her side of the draw, will now play world number 130 Denisa Allertova.

Asked about how much she learned, the teenager said: “A lot. How much do you have to pay Svitolina to have a one-hour lesson? I got it for free.”

“She’s a great player, but what I learned is that you can play against everyone. I had the chances, but because I thought she is incredible, like she’s a god, I cannot do anything against her, that’s the problem.” Kostyuk added.

Speaking about the teenager, Svitolina said: “It was sad that I was playing a Ukrainian girl. She’s a great fighter, she fought right until the end and has a great future.”

French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko has been eliminated by Anett Kontaveit of Estonia in the third round of the Australian Open.

The world number seven was beaten 6-3 1-6 6-3 by world number 33 Kontaveit in one hour and 53 minutes.

Kontaveit will next play Spain’s world number 39 Carla Suarez Navarro in his first appearance in the Australian Open fourth round.

Second seed Caroline Wozniacki is also through to the last 16 with a straightforward 6-4 6-3 win over Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.

Wozniacki will face Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia for a place in the quarter-final.

Ostapenko’s elimination from the tournament means that Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova – who face each other on Saturday – are the only two Grand Slam champions left in the women’s draw.