Svitolina saves match points, stuns No. 4 Paolini to reach French Open quarters

Elina Svitolina saved three match points to eliminate last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini and book her place in the quarter-finals at the French Open on Sunday.

- Agencies

PARIS:

The 30-year-old 13th seed roared back to upset the world number four 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 in their last-eight tie.

"I still cannot believe that this match finished my way," said Svitolina.

"It was a really difficult match today, Jasmine was playing really well. It was really tough for me but I'm very happy I was able to stay composed and fight until the very last point."

Svitolina will next face either triple-defending champion Iga Swiatek or former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina for a spot in the semi-finals.

The Ukrainian has never progressed further than the last eight in Roland Garros, falling at that stage four times since her Paris debut 12 years ago.

Paolini, who prepared for her tilt at the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen by winning the Italian Open earlier in May, has now fallen to Svitolina in both Grand Slams so far this year.