Elina Svitolina feels she must go back to the drawing board and make adjustments to her game, the Ukrainian told reporters after her US Open fourth-round exit.

Svitolina, who is still searching for a maiden Grand Slam semi-final, lost 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 to Anastasija Sevastova, who is through to her third consecutive US Open quarter-final.

The No. 7 seed could not hide her disappointment following the conclusion of her Grand Slam season, and believes some changes need to be done regarding her game after the significant weight loss she underwent earlier this season.

“I think there is few things I have to sit down with my team and think about. I think physically I have to get much stronger since, yeah, there have been a change in my body,” Svitolina said on Sunday.

“I think it takes a little bit more time than I expected to get used to it, because I have to change a little bit my game style. Because playing the same way as I was playing last year, I know my body is not allowing me to show my best.

“I have to think what I have to do differently. For the moment, it’s tough to say, because after the match you are sad and disappointed.”

Svitolina has won three titles in Brisbane, Dubai and Rome this season but at the majors, she lost to Elise Mertens in the Australian Open quarters, fell to Mihaela Buzarnescu in the French Open third round, and lost her opener at Wimbledon to Tatjana Maria.

“I would say it’s average,” said Svitolina of her 2018 Grand Slam results.

“I was expecting a little bit better results, especially Roland Garros and here, as well. But I lost to the players that were like playing really amazing tennis against me and was tough matches. So, yeah, it’s disappointing, but I have to look forward and, yeah, just go back on court and put the hours of work.”

The season is not over yet for Svitolina though and she is already thinking about securing a spot in the WTA Finals in Singapore.

The 23-year-old is fifth in the Race to Singapore and is looking to make her second consecutive appearance at the top-eight season finale.

“I showed good tennis [this hard-court swing]. Yeah, no, I’m moving forward step by step, little by little, which is good, but I want to improve, I want to be better. It takes time. I’m ready for hard work. And Asian swing, as well. My goal is to play in Singapore, so I’m going to do everything what it takes to be there.”



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