"My love" - Elina Svitolina gushes as daughter Skai watches Ukrainian reach final in first event of 2024 season at ASB Classic on TV

Elina Svitolina, who commenced her 2024 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, recently shared an image of her daughter Skai watching her semi-final game on TV.

The Ukrainian married French tennis player Gael Monfils in 2021, and gave birth to their daughter Skai in 2022. Svitolina took a hiatus from tennis for a year and returned to the court in April 2023, at the Credit One Charleston Open.

On Friday, she faced China's Wang Xiyu in the semi-final of the ASB Classic, and came from behind to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Svitolina will face Coco Gauff in the final on Sunday, January 7.

Following her match against Wang Xiyu, Svitolina posted a picture on her Instagram story that featured her daughter Skai watching her on TV.

“My love ❤ “ she captioned the image.

Elina Svitolina's daughter Skai watches the Ukrainian reach the final at ASB Classic on TV

Svitolina has had an impressive run since her return in April 2023. She is currently ranked 25th on the WTA rankings. Svitolina won the 2023 Internationaux de Strasbourg, defeating Anna Blinkova in the final.

She also had an outstanding run at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, overcoming Venus Williams, Elise Mertens, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, and Iga Swiatek before being knocked out by eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova in the semi-final. Svitolina had a great run at the French Open as well, reaching the quarter-final before losing to World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

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Elina Svitolina will take on Coco Gauff in the final of the ASB Classic

Svitolina at the 2021 Australian Open: Day 4

Elina Svitolina reached the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland on Thursday to set up a title clash with defending champion Coco Gauff.

The Ukrainian defeated Caroline Wozniacki and Emma Raducanu in the first and second rounds respectively, before defeating Marie Bouzková in the quarter-final and Wang Xiyu in the semi-final.

Coco Gauff, meanwhile, defeated Claire Liu, Brenda Fruhvirtová, Varvara Gracheva and compatriot Emma Navarro en route to the final at the ASB Classic.

Gauff and Svitolina have faced each other only once previously on the WTA tour. Svitolina defeated Gauff in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open.

The 19-year-old Gauff had a remarkable 2023 season that saw her clinch the US Open title and three other trophies, including the 2023 edition of the ASB Classic.