Calmness under pressure. No rush, no hesitation. Just one precisely timed, perfect strike when it mattered most on the court.
With the second set level at 5-all, Elina Svitolina recognized her moment. After a grueling rally that pushed both competitors from one corner to the other, the Ukrainian star unleashed a bold forehand shot down the line. Executed with zero margin for error and complete confidence, it landed as a clean winner. Her immediate reaction mirrored the shot`s impact: a powerful roar that cut through the quiet in the Rouen arena.
That crucial point proved to be the turning point in her 6-4, 7-6(8) victory over Olga Danilovic. The win secured Svitolina her first title of 2025 and the 18th singles trophy of her distinguished career. The final match lasted just under two hours, and while Svitolina maintained control, the contest remained intensely competitive right up until the final moments.
As the top seed in Rouen, Svitolina demonstrated commanding form throughout the week, navigating the tournament without dropping a single set. Her performance was characterized by sharp, physically demanding tennis. However, her true advantage lay in the strategic details – her astute sense of when to absorb opponent pressure, when to aggressively attack, and when to take calculated risks. This victory is her first title since Strasbourg in 2023 and marks another significant milestone in her steady, composed return to the sport`s top tier.
In a final filled with shifts in momentum and dramatic exchanges, it was ultimately that single, perfectly struck forehand that made all the difference and clinched the championship.
