Yuliia Starodubtseva at Roland Garros 2026
Ukrainian tennis player Yuliia Starodubtseva has advanced to the third round of the 2026 French Open after a landmark victory over world number two Elena Rybakina. This win marks Starodubtseva’s first career triumph against a top-10 opponent, having lost her previous six such encounters. It also stands as the highest-ranked victory ever achieved by a Ukrainian woman at Roland Garros.
Starodubtseva is now the first player in the Open Era to defeat a top-5 seed at Roland Garros in a match decided by a third-set tiebreak. Only two other Ukrainian women had previously beaten top-5 opponents on the clay of this major:
- Elina Svitolina
- Kateryna Baindl
Upcoming Matches and Reactions
In the next round, Starodubtseva will face China’s Wang Xiyu. Meanwhile, fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina also reached the third round, defeating Spain’s Kaitlin Quevedo and handing her a bagel in the first set.
'Honestly, it’s hard to put into words. I’m just incredibly happy. Elena is one of the best players out there—she’s having an amazing year—and I’m so proud of myself for pulling this off. The third set was tough, but I managed to get through it.' Yuliia Starodubtseva
She also anticipated a potential comeback from Rybakina: 'With someone like Elena, I kind of expected a fightback. She’s a top-tier player, so you can’t assume it’ll be easy.' Starodubtseva expressed gratitude to the crowd: 'The fans were so, so kind to me. I really felt their support—I heard my name many times—and I truly appreciate it.'
This victory highlights the growing strength of Ukrainian tennis on the global stage and demonstrates the ability of young athletes to succeed in high-pressure matches against seasoned opponents. Starodubtseva’s achievements could further energize the sport in Ukraine and inspire emerging talents to aim for top-level success.
Starodubtseva's remarkable victory not only showcases her talent but also underscores the rising prominence of Ukrainian tennis on the international stage. For a deeper look into this stunning upset and its implications for the tournament, check out our detailed coverage of how Starodubtseva shocked Rybakina at Roland Garros.