“That was a lifetime ago,” said Svitolina, who fought back from 4-1 down in the first set before romping through by winning 11 out of the next 12 games, barely breaking sweat.

Svitolina refused to shake her opponent’s hand afterwards, as is the case for all Ukrainian players facing Russians because of the war.

Organisers displayed a notice on giant screens explaining to spectators that no handshake would take place and asking for “respect in these difficult circumstances”.

Svitolina faces American 19th seed Madison Keys after she beat former finalist Elena Rybakina in three sets.

Svitolina’s husband Gael Monfils, the 38-year-old Frenchman, will aim to make it a double celebration when he faces American 21st seed Ben Shelton.

Should Monfils win he could face American teenager Learner Tien, who at 19 is half his age.

Tien, who shocked Daniil Medvedev in a late-night five-set thriller, faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

Defending champion Sinner breezed through his third-round match in straight sets but his opponent Holger Rune was taken to five for the second time in three matches.

Lucky loser Eva Lys had to cancel her flight after her surprise run to the last 16 but she faces a rampant Swiatek in the evening session.

The Pole brutally disposed of 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 in the third round.

“You never know what’s going to happen in the match,” said Germany’s world number 128 Lys, who is the first women’s lucky loser to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park 37 years ago.

Home hope Alex de Minaur, the eighth seed, rounds off the action on the centre court against Alex Michelsen of the US in a night match with a potential quarter-final against Sinner the prize.

In other round-four women’s singles matches, eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro, who has been taken to three sets in every match so far, will try to outlast Russian ninth seed Daria Kasatkina.

© 2025 AFP