Ruthless Svitolina ends 15-year-old Kostyuk's dream debut

Ruthless fourth seed Elina Svitolina gave 15-year-old compatriot Marta Kostyuk a 59-minute lesson in grand slam tennis to reach the fourth round of the Australia Open with a 6-2 6-2 victory in searing heat on Friday. Qualifier Kostyuk became the youngest player to reach the third round of a grand slam in over 20 years on Wednesday but her dream run was brought to a shuddering halt by her fellow Ukrainian on Rod Laver Arena. The teenager made an excellent start by breaking Svitolina in the first game of the match but from then on it was pretty much all one-way traffic as the in-form world number four set up a meeting with Czech qualifier Denisa Allertova.

.@marta_kostyuk is going places ??? Congratulations on a special #AusOpen campaign, Marta, we look forward to seeing you in Melbourne for many more years. pic.twitter.com/HnyW1LQUHC

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2018

Svitolina, showing no desire to spend a minute longer in the heat than necessary and no sign of the injury issues she reported after her second round match, progressed when Kostyuk served up her ninth double fault of the contest.

"She's a great fighter. She always fights until the end...She has a bright future."@ElinaSvitolina, humble in victory, praising 15-year-old countrywoman @marta_kostyuk ?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/bDVZeL3j2z

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2018