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Svitolina had initially refused to play her opening match
against Potapova at the Monterrey Open but went ahead after
tennis authorities decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players
from competing under the name and flag of their countries.
That decision followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week,
which Russia calls a "special operation". Belarus has been a key
staging area for the invasion.
"I think it's my mission to unite our tennis community to stand
with Ukraine, to help Ukraine because what we're going through
is a horrible thing for all Ukrainians," former world number
three Svitolina told reporters after her victory.
"That's why I'm here. That's why I'm playing for my country and
doing my best using my platform and using my resources to
introduce that and try to invite people to support Ukraine."
Svitolina, who has said she would donate her prize money from
the tournament to the Ukrainian army, defeated Potapova 6-2 6-1,
thumping her chest repeatedly on court.
The players exchanged a few words at the net after the match
before Svitolina showed her appreciation for the support from
the crowd.
Television graphics had a blank space next to where Potapova's
flag and country would normally have been.
"For me, playing the match here, I'm not playing only for
myself," said Svitolina. "I'm playing for my country, I'm
playing for the help of the Ukrainian army and people in need.
"Every victory that I'm going to get is going to be very
special."
In Lyon on Tuesday, fellow Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska collapsed
in a heap on court after her victory over Romanian Ana Bogdan at
the WTA 250 tournament.
The 21-year-old and her younger sister had spent two nights in
an underground car park last week before their parents sent them
out of Ukraine by boat to Romania and then safely to France.
"I'm happy that I won for my country, but at the same time I'm
very sad," said Yastremska, who wrapped herself in an Ukrainian
flag after her 3-6 7-6(7) 7-6(7) victory.
"My heart stays at home, and my mind is fighting here, so it's
very difficult to find the concentration, to find the balance.
"This win, compared to what's going on in my country, is
nothing. But I'm happy, at least, I'm also fighting for my
country. I'm really proud of the Ukrainians and they're really
heroes. I hope everything is going to finish soon."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Peter Rutherford)
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