Eugenie Bouchard recently picked Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina as the winner of the Roland Garros women’s title, despite Aryna Sabalenka’s and Mirra Andreeva’s presence still in the tournament. Bouchard highlighted Svitolina’s current statistics and physical changes to her game plan since becoming a mother, insisting that the changes have made her a force to be reckoned with.
The 2026 Roland Garros has already taken off in a direction that most fans would not have imagined. Since the early exits of many favorites like Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina, the chance to claim the trophy has now opened up for the rising stars from the draw.
Former Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard weighed in on the current draw during her commentary stint for TNT Sports, predicting Elina Svitolina to be the last one standing come Saturday in Paris.
Despite heavy favorites Sabalenka and Andreeva remaining in contention, Bouchard pointed out how the Ukrainian’s playing style has completely altered for the better now, going from a dominant counter-pusher to now relying on her newly developed heavy forehand.
“My initial pick before all of this started was Svitloina on the women’s side. Oh really well done. That’s pick, you know, after seeing her in Rome and just knowing how good of a player she is, she’s exactly my year. So I grew up with her in the juniors.”
“She’s really changed since having her child. She was known as a counter pusher, and now she has added this dimension of aggression to her game, and she is so comfortable increasing the speed on her shot, especially her forehand. Of course, we know her backend is rock solid, but she actually has a weapon in her forehead now, and it’s made her a well-rounded player,” said Bouchard.
Svitolina’s most recent title came at the Italian Open just before the start of the French Open, where she beat the likes of Swiatek, Gauff, and Rybakina to win the WTA 1000 event.
Elina Svitolina Talks About Her Upcoming All-Ukrainian Quarterfinals Clash
Elina Svitolina has dominated her way through this year’s Roland Garros and last beat Swiss player Belinda Bencic in the fourth round. Svitolina now faces off against compatriot Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals, who helped set up the all-Ukrainian clash after defeating Iga Świątek 7-5, 6-1.
Speaking to the press about the battle, Svitolina expressed great interest in facing Kostyuk, highlighting how significant the bout would be for Ukraine as a whole:
“It’s amazing for Ukraine and really inspiring. I think it just happens for us for the first time in the quarters, and then one Ukrainian is gonna play in the semifinals, so it’s an amazing opportunity for us and Ukraine, and it’s a big celebration already.
Svitolina will next take on either Sorana Cirstea or Mirra Andreeva if she beats Kostyuk in the quarterfinal on Tuesday.
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