Svitolina Avoids Upset as She Edges Bondar in Super Tiebreak at Roland Garros

Svitolina survives Bondar Test in Roland Garros opener

Rome champion Elina Svitolina overcame Anna Bondar in a super tiebreak to open her French Open campaign with a win.

After losing the first set and being broken while serving for the match, Svitolina rallied to beat Bondar 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-3) in Paris...

Elina Svitolina avoided an early exit at Roland Garros by fighting back to beat Anna Bondar and move into the second round. The Ukrainian seventh seed came from a set down to win 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-3) on Monday against the unseeded Hungarian.

Just a month after losing to Bondar in straight sets at the Madrid Open, Svitolina struggled to find her rhythm on Suzanne Lenglen Court. After pulling back an early break, she lost focus and dropped the opening set.

Svitolina regrouped in the second set and leveled the match, though the 6-1 scoreline made it look more straightforward than it was.

In the decider, the 31-year-old fell behind 3-1 before fighting back and breaking to go up 4-3. Serving for the match at 5-4, she was broken to love and lost eight points in a row, leaving her down 6-5.

Svitolina held serve to force a super tiebreak, and once there, Bondar’s game fell apart. Svitolina took control to close out the match 10-3.

What a battle! ⚔️@ElinaSvitolina beats Bondar over three sets and reaches Round 2 ⚡️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/cgeFeRwLuY

— wta (@WTA) May 25, 2026

“Definitely the support of you guys has been unbelievable, this kind of battle is never easy. It was an amazing match, I’m pleased with my performance,” said Rome champion Svitolina, who has now played four consecutive three-set matches.

“A first round like this puts you right on track. Mental strength took me over the line, as well as my physical condition.”

Svitolina sat in the Philippe Chatrier stands on Monday evening to watch her husband Gael Monfils begin his final French Open run against fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston.

“I will tell him to enjoy it. He always brings the best show,” she said.