Elina Svitolina: happy in the shadows

She’s the Australian Open favourite flying under the radar — and that’s exactly how Elina Svitolina wants it.

The Ukrainian world No.4 has quietly moved into the top line of betting in the most open Open in history as a swag of hopefuls look to cash in on the absence of titleholder and 23-times Grand Sam champion Serena Williams.

With unseeded youngsters Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens snaring their maiden majors in 2017, Svitolina – a former junior Grand Slam champion º along with world No.1 Simona Halep and the second-ranked Caroline Wozniacki have arrived in Melbourne believing they can be next.

But while Halep and Wozniacki are capturing most attention, Svitolina says she is happy to work away in the shadows without any added external pressures.

Can’t wait to wear my new @AustralianOpen outfit @Nikecourt #mostwanted pic.twitter.com/Fxl9qMr2vY

— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) January 14, 2018

The 23-year-old knows she’s as prepared as she can be, unbeaten in 2018 after opening the season with a dominant run to the Brisbane International title.

“I had a great week in Brisbane. Of course, I’m confident,” Svitolina said.

“But I try to take it one match at a time, be really focused on my game, and don’t have, like, crazy thoughts in my head.

“You have lots of different kind of pressure when you’re playing grand slam — from the media, from expectations from everyone.

“Sometimes you’re really, like, not focusing on your game and just playing, just playing not 100 per cent.

“You’re not focused on your game plan, you’re not ready to compete. Yeah, just all over the place. It can happen.”

Svitolina opens her campaign on Monday against a qualifier, while the top-seeded Halep plays on Tuesday, respectful of 17-year-old Australian wildcard playoff winner Destanee Aiava.

Incredibly, Halep will try to net her elusive first slam without a sponsor after ending her association with adidas at the end of last year.

The Romanian will don her “lucky” red dress she ordered herself and sported during her charge to the title in Shenzhen to kick-start 2018 in style.

Twice a runner-up at Roland Garros, Halep has crashed out in the first round the past two years at Melbourne Park.

“I can say I started the year better. I am more relaxed,” Halep said.

“I’m enjoying more the time on court. I just sometimes try to change something in my game, to adjust, to improve.

“So my focus is on other stuff now than the ranking or to win the match.”

Halep’s French Open final vanquisher Ostapenko, up against Francesca Schiavone in the first match on centre court, and 2017 runner-up and fifth seed Venus Williams, in the marquee first-round encounter with Swiss ace Belinda Bencic, are among the other women’s big names playing on Monday.