Marta Kostyuk's breakthrough at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has reached the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid, marking a major milestone. For the first time in her career, she has won five straight matches on the WTA tour without losing a single set. In the Round of 16, Kostyuk defeated American Katie McNally, ranked 76th in the world, with a score of 2–0 (6:2, 6:3).
This achievement extends Kostyuk's winning streak that began during the semifinals of the tournament in Rouen, France. There, she claimed the title by defeating 19-year-old Veronika Podrez in the final. In Madrid, Kostyuk has now reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Last season, she was eliminated at the same stage after losing to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
Upcoming match and player reflections
In the Madrid quarterfinals, the Ukrainian will face Czech player Linda Noskova. The highest-ranked opponent Kostyuk has beaten during this streak is world No. 5 Jessica Pegula of the United States, whom she defeated in the third round.
'In terms of level, it feels similar to how I played in January on my way to the Brisbane final. I really performed well there. I'm happy that I'm now playing, perhaps, the best tennis of my career.'
— Marta Kostyuk
Kostyuk's success is part of a wave of positive developments for Ukrainian tennis. Seven Ukrainian women—including Elina Svitolina, Dayana Yastremska, and Yuliia Starodubtseva—have secured spots in the main draw of the French Open, scheduled from May 24 to June 7, 2026. Qualifying matches will take place before the main tournament begins.
Marta Kostyuk's run to the Madrid quarterfinals highlights her improving form and growing confidence on the international stage. This momentum could play a key role in her preparation for upcoming competitions, including Roland Garros, where Ukrainian players have a chance to showcase their skills and achievements. The strong results from Kostyuk and her compatriots reflect the development and consistency of Ukrainian tennis on the global scene.
Marta Kostyuk's impressive performance in Madrid follows her hard-fought journey to the semifinals in Rouen, where she triumphed in a challenging three-set match. This recent success not only underscores her growing prowess on the court but also sets the stage for her ambitions at the upcoming French Open. To delve deeper into her remarkable pathway and the challenges she faced in Rouen, read more about her semifinal battle here.