Any time’s the right time for Svitolina and baby Skai

Day or night matches are fine by tennis mother Elina Svitolina, who returned to the Australian Open after missing last year and now finds herself comfortably into the second round.

The Ukrainian subdued teenaged Aussie wild card Taylah Preston 6-2, 6-2, with the one-hour outing leaving her plenty of time for husband Gael Monfils and 16-month old daughter Skai.

“If I’m playing at night I’m gonna go in the morning to see her (Skai),” the 19th seed said.

“If I’m playing in the morning, like now, Gael is going to play soon, but I’m going to see her this afternoon… we just have to adjust.”

Svitolina is among a band of new mothers who have returns to the Tour, with other including former No. 1s Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka and Carolina Wozniacki, who won her opening on Sunday when opponent Magda Linette quit injured trailing 6-2, 2-0.

Swiss-based Svitolina said that the current cold snap in Europe was among the reasons she and Monfils brought their daughter for her first trip to Oz.

“I’ve had some trips without her, like, to Wimbledon, for example. At the US Open, as well, she didn’t come. 

“But now it’s a little bit easier, as well, with the long flights.

“I’m so happy we decided to bring her here with us. We spend so much of nice time and really enjoy time together, the weather is super nice.

“It’s nice for her to be here, spend a lot of time in the park with my mom, with the nanny, as well.”