Stunning Victory Propels Kostyuk into French Open Semifinals
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk secured a remarkable win over Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the French Open (Roland Garros), earning her first-ever spot in a Grand Slam semifinal. The match ended with a score of 6:3, 2:6, 6:2 in Kostyuk's favor. In the next round, she will face Mirra Andreeva.
This achievement marks a historic milestone for Kostyuk, as she becomes the third Ukrainian woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, joining Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska. Svitolina previously fell in the semifinals at:
- Wimbledon (2011, 2023)
- US Open (2019)
- Australian Open (2026)
Yastremska, meanwhile, lost in her only Grand Slam semifinal appearance at the 2024 Australian Open. Kostyuk had already advanced to the Roland Garros quarterfinals after defeating world No. 3 Iga Swiatek.
Quotes and Support for the Ukrainian People
Before her match against Elina Svitolina, Kostyuk remarked:
“This is a historic day after so many years on the Tour. After doubts and difficulties, after my first quarterfinal—now my first Grand Slam semifinal.”
She also expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, stating: “Before this historic match with Elina, I want to remind everyone that Ukraine had a difficult night. I want to dedicate this match to the Ukrainian people, to their resilience. Glory to Ukraine!”
Kostyuk will now face Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals, a player she has defeated in both of their previous encounters. Their most recent match took place in early May, when Kostyuk beat Andreeva in the Madrid final with a score of 6:3, 7:5. If Kostyuk wins this semifinal, she will become the first Ukrainian woman in history to reach a Grand Slam final.
Reflecting on the match, Kostyuk shared: “When I missed a shot early in the third set, I looked at my coach Sandra Zaniewska—she was so calm. I hadn't seen her that calm in a long time. I thought that's exactly what I need to do. And it works—I keep proving it to myself over and over.” Wrapping up her thoughts, the tennis star added: “I still think the Roland Garros title is far away. But I hope the fans will come to the semifinal and support me.”
This victory is a landmark moment for Ukrainian tennis, as Kostyuk not only cements her status as one of the sport's most promising players but also inspires young athletes back home. The recent successes of Ukrainian women on the international stage highlight the growing strength of tennis in the country, which could fuel further achievements in the future. The semifinal against Mirra Andreeva will be a crucial test for Kostyuk, and her performance could lay the groundwork for more triumphs at major tournaments.