Ukraine's Elina Svitolina said she feels it is her responsibility to bring her country a "little light" after she charged past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 6-1 on Monday to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina (27) won a convincing victory over russian Veronika Kudermetova (playing under a neutral flag) in the 1/8 finals of the

Elina Svitolina has rallied from two breaks down in the first set and taken 11 of the next 12 games in a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Veronika Kudermetova to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the third time.

American Madison Keys upset sixth seed Elena Rybakina 6-3 1-6 6-3 in a roller-coaster match at Margaret Court Arena to march into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday and extend her win streak to nine matches this year.

Svitolina is the only Ukrainian to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to that, the 30-year-old defeated WTA No. 4 Jasmine Paolini, Romanian Sorana Cirstea, and American Caroline Dolehide.

After her victory, Elina Svitolina wrote "the spirit of Ukraine" on the camera in English and explained her message. Read also: Svitolina powers past Dolehide into Australian Open third round “This fighting spirit I demonstrate reflects the Ukrainian character.