Ukrainian tennis players Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska emotional after WTA Tour wins

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has shown her thoughts remain with her homeland even while winning her round-of-32 match at the Monterrey Open in Mexico.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued, the emotions were never far from the surface as the number one seed went ahead with her match against Russia's Anastasia Potapova. 

And in France, fresh from fleeing Ukraine as a refugee, Dayana Yastremska broke down in tears after her win over Ana Bogdan at the WTA event in Lyon.

Svitolina had made headlines when she announced she would boycott any matches against Russian players at the tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, until the WTA took action in line with recommendations by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC had called on sports to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials over the invasion of Ukraine.

Svitolina said she would not play until the WTA allowed Russian and Belarusian players to play only as neutrals, without any national symbols, flags or anthems.

«I do not blame any of the Russian athletes,» she said.

«They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland.»

The WTA and ATP today acted, saying Russian and Belarusian players could continue to compete in international events and the grand slams, but not under the name or flag of their nations.

A range of sports have taken action against Russian and Belarusian athletes, teams and officials after the IOC's recommendation to ban them from sport following the invasion of Ukraine.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) also cancelled all events in Russia and Belarus and suspended Russian federations from playing international team tennis until further notice.

Following the action, Svitolina played against Anastasia Potopova.

Wearing a tennis